"What does Kohli 2.0 hold out for" - Twitterati react after the toss in the first ODI between India and South Africa in Paarl
After suffering a disappointing Test series loss last week against South Africa, Team India are back in action today, looking for redemption in the ODI series. Paarl is hosting the first ODI of the three-match series against the Proteas today.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first. Bavuma revealed that the possibility of the pitch slowing up as the match progresses is the reason behind his decision.
Team India have handed a ODI debut to exciting batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. Marco Jansen will make his ODI debut for the hosts following an impressive showing in the recently concluded Test series.
Here are the playing XIs for today's game:
India playing XI: KL Rahul (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
South Africa playing XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma(c), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi
Follow the live match updates here.
Most of the Indian cricket fans are looking forward to witnessing Virat Kohli in action without leadership responsibilities after a long time. Venkatesh Iyer's debut has also been well received as he is an exciting prospect for India across formats. Some ae unhappy about the team's balance, with Shardul Thakur slotted in at number 7.
Here are some of the best reactions from fans:
@BCCI Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer https://t.co/2VA9lcn1TY
#SAvsIND
ODI debut for Venkatesh Iyer https://t.co/QVKaMfHHMe
Best ODI average as captain (min: 20 inns):
72.65 - Virat Kohli
63.94 - AB de Villiers
57.62 - Faf du Plessis
53.55 - MS Dhoni
49.56 - Kane Williamson
let's hope something similar from kl from the 1st ODI
#ViratKohli #SAvIND
Wtf who plays shradul in odis t20 nd that too in no 7 #INDvSA
#ShikharDhawan preferred to Ruturaj Gaekwad who was in sensational form in domestic white ball tourneys. Not unexpected. No point ha ing him in the squad if he is not going to play. But this lifeline will be his last. Dhawan has make the most of it or bust. #INDvSA
@BCCI The Highest total ever chased in Boland Park in ODI is 250.
#INDvSA #SAvsIND
After 7 years , KOHLI will play only as a batsman 🥺.
#ViratKohli
#KingKohli
#INDvSA https://t.co/yLtNuKOaUM
Miss those days when Kohli lost the toss and we all had readymade tweets for the occasion.
But good to see KL Rahul continue the tradition.
#SAvInd
Willy nilly, spotlight will be on #ViratKohli. So much has happened in his cricketing life in recent weeks. What’s not happened is a blockbuster knock from his bat. Shorn of captaincy responsibilities, what does Kohli 2.0 hold out for the India is the question on everyone’s lips
@ddsportschannel It will be a tough one for Ind. However #Kohli as an Individual player will have a great advantage in chasing. Waiting to see the #Vintage_Kohli in chasing today's match. #SAvIND #INDvSA
❣️
Venkatesh Iyer making his ODI debut for India..🔥
So happy for you Champ @venkateshiyer 😍❣️
Absolutely Deserved this..❣️👑
#SAvIND
@cricketwallah Nonsensial picking..With the World Cup in mind, @Ruutu1331 deserves more opportunities from now. He needs to be prepared!! #SAvIND
Really Excited to See Venky Bowling more than batting 🤞🙌
#SAvIND
I think Venky is considered as he is allrounder.. We badly need allrounders..+ I don't think Ruturaj is in contention of 2023WC, so It's fair to give run to an allrounder who is in run for both T20wc as well as ODIwc...
#SAvIND twitter.com/Csk_army1/stat…
#INDvsSA #SAvIND #IstODI
Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer in playing 11 : https://t.co/fcBJW4h1Y9
"Virat had this amazing ability to get the best out of everybody" - KL Rahul on the experience of playing under Virat Kohli's leadership
KL Rahul recently praised former Indian skipper Virat Kohli and opened up about the great facets of his leadership tenure. Rahul revealed that Virat Kohli was great at bringing the best out of his teammates and pushing them positively to do special things on the field.
Speaking about Kohli's captaincy stint at a press conference on the eve of the first ODI against South Africa, KL Rahul said:
"When it comes to leadership, Virat had this amazing ability to get the best out of everybody. He pushed everybody and made us believe that we can do special things, so that’s something that I’ve learnt from him and hopefully I can do that with the team as well."
He added:
"The things I’ve learnt from Virat Kohli about captaincy, obviously the whole world knows how passionate he is about Test cricket and cricket in general. He has led from the front, he brought about a lot of changes in the team."
India's stand-in white ball captain signed off by saying:
"The winning belief that is there in the team is largely because of Virat as a leader, and he’s made us all believe in ourselves and believe that we can go outside of India and beat any team. So I’d want to continue that and obviously build on it and get better as a team."
Virat Kohli previously played under the captaincy of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni before becoming a full-time skipper of India across all formats.