South Africa vs India 2018: 5 player battles to watch out in ODIs

Hashim Amla vs Mohammad Shami

Mohammad Shami can challenge Hashim Amla with the new ball

When on song, there is no other current Indian bowler who looks better than Mohammad Shami. He has pace, swing and seam. At the same time, when in form, few batsmen can have as much impact as Hashim Amla.

While Shami has been injury prone and a bit ineffective in ODIs recently as compared to Tests – in fact, he has played only thrice since the 2015 World Cup – despite a low recent run, Amla showed his class with twin half-centuries on a treacherous Johannesburg pitch in the third Test.

The opener averaged merely 17.80 in the ODIs in India three years back, but has formed one of the most feared opening partnerships in ODIs alongside Quinton de Kock. However, he may have to face a rampaging Shami in the upcoming matches as India would be looking to induct three frontline pacers with only a single spinner on South African pitches which will offer little for the slow bowlers.