South Africa vs India 2018: India's probable playing XI for second ODI

Doubts about India's ability to win an ODI series in South Africa for the first time were laid to rest in Durban. The Proteas' 17-game ODI winning streak at home was vanquished and at the forefront of it all was India's architect of run chases since 2010.

Like the wounded tiger, the Proteas battled hard without AB de Villiers. Their new captain of the ship did his best, scoring yet another century but support, he simply couldn't find. His opposite number had help from all corners as the cavalry counter-attacked from the beginning till the sweet scent of victory was tasted.

As India look to take a 2-0 lead in the series in Centurion, let us take a look at India's probable playing XI for the second ODI:

Openers

Did someone switch Rohit Sharma's bat?

Rohit Sharma

The majestic blade wielded by India's hitman, which often resembles the trunk of Tāne Mahuta surprisingly shrinks to the size of a pencil when he goes to the rainbow nation. Whether in colored clothing (ODIs) or in whites (Tests), Rohit has struggled to find the pot of gold irrespective of where he goes to, in the rainbow nation.

An ODI average of 13.25 in eight innings, without a single fifty, is something that he will look to change. His first chance will come at Centurion.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan was swinging the blade like a samurai in Durban before his innings came to an abrupt end as Virat Kohli ran him out, proving once again that when you play with fire, you are bound to get burnt. Especially when the fire (Kohli) is an eternal flame that shows no signs of extinguishing, irrespective of where it burns in the world.

Middle-order

The Proteas were unable to extinguish the flame that conquered them

Virat Kohli

The golden snitch (century) kept eluding the Fiendfyre (Virat Kohli) in the rainbow nation but Durban was the setting as the eternal flame conquered another continent. As powerful as the aguamenti (Proteas pacers) were, they were no match for the Fiendfyre, which couldn't be put out in Durban, raising the eternal question of whether it can ever be extinguished, especially in the second innings.

Ajinkya Rahane

After four consecutive ODI fifties against Australia, Ajinkya Rahane was dropped for the ODI series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka before he made a comeback in the first ODI against South Africa, to make it five fifties in a row. If there is one person who will be hoping that the jinx isn't broken in Centurion, it will be the Indian batsman, who is aptly nicknamed the same.

Now in the side at No. 4, Rahane showcased his versatility as he essayed his role to perfection and earned the adulation of his captain as well.

Kedar Jadhav

At first glance, Jadhav might seem like someone who is as out of place in the Indian side as an Eskimo is in the Sahara desert (or Arsene Wenger's latest incarnation at Arsenal), but the diminutive all-rounder has shown himself to be capable of withstanding any circumstance, criticism and consternation, much like Arsene Wenger's latest incarnation at Arsenal.

But unlike the Arsenal boss, Jadhav has delivered on a consistent basis of late and is slowly fulfilling his promise as the all-rounder in the side.

All-rounders

Pandya has been all style and little substance so far

Hardik Pandya

Proclaimed as the harbinger of hope and the messiah India have long yearned for, expectations were sky high as Hardik Pandya made his international debut. Fulfilling those were always going to be trickier for the Baroda all-rounder than for the many who had come before him. While there have been flashes, he is yet to showcase consistency with both bat and ball and he will need to do so quickly, if he doesn't want to be swept away by the tide of cynicism that is likely to come his way if his current performances carry on for too long.

MS Dhoni (WK)

Like the Bollywood hero who sweeps the girl off her feet before the curtains come down, Dhoni arrives with even greater panache and continues to score the winning runs for India. He did so in Durban as he remained not out for the 44th time in successful ODI run chases, showing that while his age might constantly prompt critics to question his skills, like the evergreen superstar who shines brightly into the dying night, Dhoni remains relevant.

Spinners

Kohli's main weapons that helped him slay the dragon in its own den

Kuldeep Yadav

When you enter the dragon's den, you need to have your weapons drawn and ready to fire away, especially if that dragon is unbeaten in 17 consecutive ODI games at home. In Kuldeep Yadav, Kohli had Ascalon, the sword Saint George used to slay the dragon.

A surprise was sprung on the Proteas, who were clueless. Instead of being torn apart by fire and brimstone, a web was spun on the hosts, a web from which they could not escape.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Those who did manage to escape the web were greeted by Chahal, who eschewed from boundary balls and delivered the body blows that weakened the dragon (South Africa's batting line-up) before Ascalon slayed it.

In combination, the duo have been triumphant both home and away, repaying the faith placed on them.

Fast bowlers

India's deadly duo

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

For long, India had searched for the mythical being that would elevate them to one of the best ODI bowling sides in the world. Could there ever be a fast bowler, who swings the new ball, has plenty of variations and has deadly yorkers to use at the death? Or is that just another urban myth? The new and improved Bhuvneshwar Kumar has proven that is no longer just a myth.

Jasprit Bumrah

If fast bowlers were graded purely on their bowling actions, Jasprit Bumrah would not feature anywhere near the top of that list. With an action that a lumberjack would use to scythe trees down with horror movie-esque violence, Bumrah proves that when the axe is replaced by a ball, it is just as effective. Just ask the Proteas batsmen and they'd tell you all about it.