India vs South Africa: Men in Blue’s predicted XI in first ODI

After the T20I series was drawn 1-1, Team India will take on hosts South Africa in the first match of the three-match ODI series at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The ODI series will be without senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul will captain the side in this series.

Promising batter Ruturaj Gaikwad who missed the entire T20I series is expected to be the first-choice opener. He was in good form against Australia. He is expected to open with Sai Sudharsan, who will look to impress.

Aggressive southpaw Tilak Varma will play at no. 3 in absence of Kohli. Shreyas Iyer will come in at no. 4 and he has been in sensational form for India lately. Captain Rahul will play at no. 5 as his experience will come in handy against South Africa.

Rinku Singh will take up the finisher role at no.6. All-rounder Axar Patel will bat at no.7.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar may likely take over the job as tailenders. While Kuldeep will share spin duties with Axar, Arshdeep, Avesh and Mukesh will make up the pace battery.

India’s predicted XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Verma Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.