India vs South Africa 2018: 5 players who can help India create history

India vs South Africa ODI series starts on 1st February and the visitors would want to carry the momentum they gained in the 3rd Test and create history by winning the ODI series. So far, the Asian sides have found it extremely difficult to perform in the African country, with Pakistan being the only side to win an ODI series there.

India have just won five out of the 28 ODIs against the Proteas on their home-soil, losing 21 with two undecided games. Their win-loss ratio here against the hosts in this format is just 0.238.

To improve that record, here are five players who can make the difference for India and help them win their first ODI series in South Africa.

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Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is the sort of player who epitomises the phrase, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". In the last year, he averaged 76.84, and while chasing that number swells up to 78.40.

Considering the South African batting might in this format, it will be fair to consider the possibility of India chasing big totals in the series, and they would need Kohli to fire if they are to hunt them down.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma would want to make amends for his poor performance in the Test series

There have been seven double centuries scored in ODIs so far, 5 of them have been scored by Indians, and out of those five, three belong to Rohit Sharma. Since he started opening the innings in 2013 "Hitman's" numbers have improved drastically, he averages 55.71 as an opener.

The best thing about his batting is how he paces his innings. Initially, he gives himself time to get set, in the middle overs he rotates the strike, and at the death, he goes berserk.

He was extremely consistent in the format in 2017 and sits pretty at number four in the ICC ODI batsmen's rankings. India would want some big runs from him this time around.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya will give a much-needed balance to the Indian side

Time and time again Hardik Pandya has shown that he is an outstanding talent, but the problem is that he has been hot and cold for most part of his career.

He got runs on a difficult wicket in the 1st innings of Cape Town Test, but after that, things went downhill for him as he accumulated 26 runs at an average of just 5.2.

Teams have to go with four pacers sometimes in these conditions, and a fast-bowling all-rounder can let them do that, without compromising batting depth. India would need some consistent performances from him.

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav would be India's key in the middle overs

Visiting sides have found it extremely difficult to get wickets and stem the flow of runs in South Africa in recent times. The reason for that is that Proteas batsmen don't allow spinners to settle in the middle overs, and rather attack them.

For Instance, Adam Zampa went at an economy of in 6.84, and just got three wickets in the five-match series here in 2016. Kuldeep Yadav is a wicket-taking option and he has to get wickets if India are to win the middle overs battle.

Jasprit Bumrah

Perhaps the best death bowler in the world at the moment, Jasprit Bumrah is economical at the top as well these days.

He bowls on an awkward length which is hard to get away for the openers, and India will need him to choke the South African openers for runs, especially Quinton de Kock who gets a bit anxious when runs are not coming, like we saw in the Champions Trophy last year.

With AB de Villiers and David Miller in the South African side, India would want somebody to deliver at the death, and Bumrah with his yorkers at the death can do that for them.