South Africa vs India 2018: Predicted playing XI for first ODI

India needs to play with the same intent in Limited Overs as in the Last Test
India needs to play with the same intent in Limited Overs as in the Last Test

With the Sunfoil Freedom Test Series ending on a comparatively pleasant note for the Indian Cricket team with a win at Johannesburg, it's now time to move to the shorter format of the game. South Africa will now host India for 6 One Day Internationals and 3 T20Is, with the first ODI in Durban on 1st February.

Both teams would be looking to win the respective series, with South Africa looking to retain their top spot in the rankings and India looking to displace South Africa from their throne. The Indian squad undergoes a lot of changes for the series, with Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul and Ishant Shamra making way for limited-overs specialists like MS Dhoni, Kedhar Jadhav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

With so many in-form players to choose from, it will be a tough task to select a balanced XI for the first ODI on Thursday. Here is my playing XI:

Rohit Sharma

The Hitman is in the form of his Life in Limited Overs Format

The Hitman is in the form of his Life in Limited Overs Format

If there is one person other than Kohli and MS Dhoni, who is a sure shot in India's limited overs side, it's Rohit Sharma. Continuing from his impressive form from 2017, where he ended up as the 2nd highest run scorer behind Kohli and scored his 3rd ODI double hundred, the Indian limited-overs vice-captain will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

With either Shikhar Dhawan or Ajinkya Rahane at the other end, Rohit has the important task of giving impressive starts to the team and also scoring runs, something that was missing during the Test series.

Shikhar Dhawan

He needs to score big this time in order to preserve his spot in the playing XI

He needs to score big this time in order to preserve his spot in the playing XI

With the constant threat of Ajinkya Rahane as a reserve opener looming, it is time for Dhawan to show that he can perform whenever the team demands. Ever since his return at 2017 Champions Trophy, Dhawan has been in tremendous form, scoring runs in every subsequent series.

It is his inconsistency with the bat that earns him the backlash of the fans. Ajinkya Rahane might get a chance to play sometimes in the series, but for the first match, it's Shikhar Dhawan who will partner Rohit Sharma in Durban.

Virat Kohli(c)

He will have a lot to prove as a captain after losing the Test Series

He will have a lot to prove as a captain after losing the Test Series

One thing is very clear - Virat Kohli is currently the best batsman in the world. Be it Test Cricket or ODIs or T20Is, the Indian skipper has been scoring heavily in all the three formats.

With Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan opening the batting and Kohli coming in at number 3, India currently have a top order that can be matched by no other team in the world. The Indian run machine, who was the highest run scorer in the Test series, would love to continue scoring heavily even after the change in format.

Shreyas Iyer

After his impressive performance against Sri Lanka, the younster deserves another chance at the Big Stage

After his impressive performance against Sri Lanka, the youngster deserves another chance at the Big Stage

Ever since the 2015 World Cup, the number 4 position has been a big debacle for the Indian cricket team. Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul - all gave lacklustre performances at that position.

Following his impressive debut against Sri Lanka, the young Shreyas Iyer seems to be the perfect candidate for the position for this series. The 23-year old deserves another chance at that position, and with a strong bowling line-up in South Africa, it would be the perfect way to see if he can play on the big stage.

MS Dhoni(wk)

Even at 36, Dhoni's wicket keeping abilities are second to none,

Even at 36, Dhoni's wicket keeping abilities are second to none.

At present, there is simply no one in the Indian team that can replace Dhoni. The former Indian skipper is such a reliable commodity for the team that even imagining the limited overs side without MS is tough for any fan.

With Mahi returning to the team after a month-long break, he will now have the big responsibility of keeping the inexperienced Indian middle order stable with his batting.

Kedar Jadhav

His contributions with both bat and ball would be valuable to India

His contributions with both bat and ball would be valuable to India

Over the past 12 months, Kedar Jadhav has made the number 6 position his own. Known for his explosive batting down the order, the 32-year old would love to make a successful return to the Indian outfit after missing the Sri Lanka series due to injury.

Apart from his batting exploits in the later overs, it is his magical bowling spells during the middle overs that make him an integral part of the Indian team.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya needs to prove his worth as a genuine Batting Allrounder

The Indian Team's Rock Star has been on fire in Limited Overs Cricket

Even though he was criticized for the ways in which he got out in Test matches and his inability to contribute enough with the ball, there is no denying the fact that Hardik Pandya is an important part of the limited overs side.

The swashbuckling all-rounder from Baroda was one of India's shining stars in 2017, contributing impressively with both bat and ball in every match. His presence lower down the batting order adds strength to the Indian batting line up.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India needs Bhuvi to give them those early breakthroughs
India needs Bhuvi to give them those early breakthroughs.

India's premier fast bowler has been a different bowler over the past 12 years. Once regarded as just a new ball bowler, the lanky pacer has now become one of the most feared death bowlers in the world.

With his always improving ability to bat down the order, Bhuvi provides support to the Indian batting lower down the order. Along with Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar forms the most lethal fast bowling pair in limited overs cricket.

Mohammad Shami

Shami was on fire in the 2nd inning of the final test in Johannesburg

Shami was on fire in the 2nd inning of the final test in Johannesburg

Had it been an ODI match on Indian subcontinent, there is a very strong chance that Mohammad Shami, India's highest wicket taker in the Test series, might not have made in to the playing XI.

Given the fact that South African pitches usually support bounce and reverse swing in the second half of the innings, Mohammad Shami will nip out chinaman Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI as India's third fast bowler.

Yuzvendra Chahal

This leg spinner has been doing wonders for the Indian Cricket Team

This leg spinner has been doing wonders for the Indian Cricket Team

Yuzvendra Chahal has become India's first choice spinner for limited overs cricket. Such is the talent of him and his partner Kuldeep Yadav that it has forced senior spinners R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out of the Limited Overs side.

The leg spinner has been instrumental in various wins over the past year and will likely continue to be a part of the Indian side in the future as well.

Jasprit Bumrah

India needs his death bowling if they want to win the test series.

India needs his death bowling if they want to win the test series.

Jasprit Bumrah has been a revelation ever since his debut. Already one of the leading bowlers in the world in the shorter formats of the game, the fast bowler made an impressive debut in the Freedom Test Series, showing the world that he can perform at any stage.

With Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling from the other end, this deadly duo can bring down any batting line up with their toe-crushing yorkers and slower ones during the slog overs.

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Edited by Anuradha Santhanam