India and South Africa are set to face off against each other in an ODI series. The white ball series will comprise of three games of which the first of the three will take place on January 19 at Boland Park in Paarl. The second ODI is also scheduled for the same venue for January 21. The third and final ODI will take place on January 23 at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town.
South Africa won the recently concluded Test series against India 2-1. India won the opener by 113 runs. However, South Africa came back in the following two games to win both by seven wickets. Failing to win a red ball series in South Africa again, will leave the Indians wanting to prove themselves in the white ball series before they depart. With a new-look team called in to take the field for India.
Today we take a look at some players to watch out for this upcoming series.
1) Quinton de Kock (South Africa)
"In life, you can buy almost everything except for time, and right now, it’s time to do right by the people that mean the most to me."
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2021
More from Quinton de Kock after his retirement from Test cricket 👇https://t.co/6pAHh6dILq
After calling quits on the white jersey to concentrate on the shorter formats of the game, after the first Test match of the series. Quinton de Kock will be expected to make a statement performance as a show to back his words. Being one of the most talented batsmen on the Proteas batting roster, and with the ability to capture the imagination of any ardent cricket fan. Some big runs will be expected of the left-handed batsman.
With an average of 63.60 against the Indians in South Africa, scoring 2 centuries from 5 matches, his best record against Test-playing nations. The 29-year-old will be expected to score much of the same in the coming series.
2) Marco Jansen (South Africa)
The 2.06 meters tall bowling all-rounder first came into the spotlight when he donned the Mumbai Indians jersey in the IPL. Coming a long way from there, the youngster made his debut in the red-ball format of the game and clearly made his mark as one for the future. Now set to make his debut in the 50 over format of the game, big things are expected of the upcoming player.
3) Virat Kohli (India)
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022
India’s former white-ball skipper and senior batsman will have something to prove in this new-look team. Stripped of his captain duties, the batting maestro who has struggled for runs in the last two years will look to score on the plenty. Much has been said in regards to his elusive 71st century., and so the right-handed batsman will be keen to set the records straight.
With an average of 77.62 in the African continent, the highest across all he played. Virat Kohli has surely tasted success in these playing conditions. Hoping to replicate his earlier triumphs, all eyes will be on the Indian batsman.
4) Ruturaj Gaikwad (India)
The 24-year-old batsman from Pune was the leading run-scorer in the 2021 Indian Premier League after he accumulated a staggering 635 runs. Playing a vital role in helping the Chennai Super Kings win the title, BCCI management has rewarded his performances with his first senior call-up to the national side. The youngster will be eager to showcase his brand of cricket.
5) Venkatesh Iyer (India)
With Hardik Pandya struggling for form and out of the side, the position for the fast bowling all-rounder is up for grabs. And who better than Venkatesh Iyer. Making his mark with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the 27-year-old brings a decent bowling option to the table combined with explosive batting, with the potential to turn matches on its head. With the opportunity presented before the player to show his capabilities, some fireworks are in order.
With much to prove for both sides, the India and South Africa ODI series promise to be one to entertain. Let us know who do you think could be the standout players of the series and which team can win the series.
Cover Credits: CricketNation
