South Africa vs India 2018: Analyzing India's ODI squad
South Africa defeated the number one ranked Indian team 2-1 in the three-match Test series. The Proteas had taken an unassailable lead in the series after winning the first two Test matches with sheer ease. The two sides square off in a six match ODI series that begins from 1st February. South Africa is currently ranked number one in one-day internationals, followed by India in second place. The one-day series will be intriguing to watch as the visitors will look to fight back. On the other hand, South Africa will want to stamp their dominance at home.
Let us have a look at India's squad for the one-day internationals as they try to get the composition right before the 2019 World Cup. Virat Kohli will lead the Indian team as they take on South Africa in the six-match ODI series. Flamboyant opener Rohit Sharma has been named as the vice-captain of the team. Rohit led India against Sri Lanka in December when Kohli was rested for the one-day games.
India's top order
Rohit Sharma
29-year-old Rohit Sharma scored his third double century in one-day cricket against Sri Lanka last month. After a series of failures in the Test series, Rohit will look to change his fortunes in the ODI series. The 'Hitman' will have to face the dangerous new ball attack of South Africa. He will look to overcome the South African challenge by scoring against the number one ODI team. This is his best opportunity to prove himself in overseas conditions.
Shikhar Dhawan
Aggressive Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was in tremendous form before this South African tour commenced. Dhawan's form faced a slump in the Test series, where he played only one match. He will open the innings along with Rohit Sharma. The duo will have to battle the threatening pace bowlers in the South African team to provide a solid start to the innings. The Delhiite scored 960 runs at an average of 48 in the previous year. His ability to accelerate at any point of the innings makes him special. The 31-year-old will look to compensate for his poor form in the Test series.
Virat Kohli
Kohli had a magnificent 2017, where he was named as the ICC Cricketer of the Year. He was the leading run scorer in one-day internationals in 2017, where he amassed 1460 runs at a mind-blowing average of 76.84. The Indian Captain will want to dominate the Proteas from the word go and will look to lead his side from the front.
Kohli was in fine form in the longest format of the game and will want to replicate his form in the one-day internationals as well.