28th March 2021 was the last time a full-fledged Indian team played a One-day game. In the three-match ODI series against the touring England team, India won 2-1. In fact, India did play a One-day series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in July 2021. But with due respect to that team, it was a young side led by Shikhar Dhawan when the Virat Kohli-led Indian team was on England tour. India starts the three-match One-day series against the South African side in the Rainbow nation from 19th January 2022. If the recent test series is anything to go by, which the much-fancied Indian team lost 1-2, the one-day series should be a cracker of a contest. It has to be said, the Test series loss for the Indian team was unexpected, as many cricket pundits had predicted before the series. A scoreline of 3-0 or 2-1 was expected in favor of the Indians, which did not happen. South Africans played excellent cricket and left team India smarting. With a new one-day captain in KL Rahul, India will be eager to avenge the test series loss and win this white ball segment of the tour. Let’s take a look at the players to watch out for.
1.Virat Kohli
The last time India played ODIs on African soil in 2018-19, they outclassed the Proteas 5-1. Glancing through the Indian team, it is extremely difficult to look beyond the talismanic Virat Kohli on the batting front. He was the wrecker in chief in the 2018-19 tour, scoring 558 runs in the series. He scored three centuries in that series with a memorable 160 not out in Cape Town. To an extent, with his rediscovered mojo in 3rd test, Kohli will be the man to watch out for in this series.
2.KL Rahul
KL Rahul, the Indian captain, will be the other batsman to watch out for. He has been the most improved Indian batsman across the three formats in the last 18 months or so. Fresh from a Test hundred in Centurion, he will be eager to put up a batting masterclass on display.
3.Jasprit Bumrah
Bowling, as always, will revolve around the ever-so-reliable Boom-boom Bumrah. His immaculate yorkers and death bowling skills are cause for envy for all the teams around the world. A bowler having an economy rate of less than five is a rare commodity in the modern era. Combined with his stupendous wicket-taking ability, Bumrah definitely is numero uno in white-ball cricket.
4.Rassie Van der Dussen
Zooming into the South African squad, one batsman who has made head turns in white-ball cricket in the recent past is Rassie Van der Dussen. He is a talented batsman and is likely to score big in the series. In twenty-nine ODIs played so far, he averages a mind-boggling 65.56. He is the future superstar of World cricket.
5.Quinton de Kock
The effervescent Quinton de Kock has been one of the most admirable wicket-keeper batsmen after Adam Gilchrist. He, too, will be a thorn in the flesh for the Indians. He will be fairly energized, having relinquished playing test cricket and returning after spending some quality time with his newborn baby. Who can forget his three consecutive centuries against the Indians in the 2013-14 ODI series on home soil.
6.Kagiso Rabada
Coming to the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada will always be a threat in South African conditions. He was exceptional in the test series. His spell in 2nd innings of the Wanderers test, turn the tide in Proteas’ favor in no time. He has the edge over the Indians, and -Indian batting lineup will be wary of him.