South Africa vs India 2018: India's probable playing XI for third ODI

After outplaying the hosts in every facet of the game in the first two ODIs, Team India will take the field on Wednesday knowing that a win would all but confirm their first-ever series win on South African shores. The crucial day/night encounter will be played in Cape Town, the same ground which hosted the first Test of the tour.

Skipper Virat Kohli had chosen to go unchanged in the second ODI, a match which saw SA getting bowled out for 118, their lowest-ever ODI score at home, and India romped home with nine wickets in hand.

Here we'll predict whether Kohli will go ahead with the same XI again or if there's a change or two in store.

Opener

Rohit Sharma

With scores of 11, 10, 10, 47, 20 and 15 on the ongoing tour, Rohit Sharma has had a difficult time in South Africa so far. The opener hasn't looked his usual self on pitches which haven't been as conducive to his style as the tracks in the sub-continent.

However, with Rahane taking the number four slot, it looks highly unlikely that the team composition will be tinkered with. This means that Rohit will be opening the innings for India with...

Shikhar Dhawan

The Delhi batsman has looked sharp in both the ODI matches thus far and would want to continue his run of form. A half-century in the second match must have done a world of good to his confidence after his flashy 35-run knock was cut short because of a run-out in the first encounter.

If Dhawan's partner regains his mojo as well, South Africa will have a hard time breaking through these two.