Lucknow: After winning the three-match T20I series, India will be eyeing to repeat the show in the three-match One Day International series against South Africa which begins at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
On the contrary, the visiting captain Temba Bavuma will want to avenge the T20I series loss to the hosts, especially after an inspiring 49 runs victory in the last game at Indore after posting a huge 227/7 in 20 overs.
Bavuma will try to put a new-look Team India led by Shikhar Dhawan on the mat with as many as 6 players who could make an ODI debut, but hosts India will try to make a statement in the absence of tall players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are flying to Australia for the T20 World Cup.
But, everything depends on Weather Gods. It has been raining incessantly here, and to cap it all, the weathermen have predicted heavy showers tomorrow.
The fresh Indian players like Mukesh Kumar and Rajat Patidar, however, would be praying that the Rain Gods don't intervene and make their clear obstacles to make their debuts.
Shreyas Iyer, who is a standby for the World Cup, has been given the responsibility of vice captain. Other standby players like bowling-allrounder Deepak Chahar and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi have also been inducted into the side.
Shubman Gill, who is in cracking form, could open with Shikhar amidst Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan forming the index for a strong middle-order.
Shahbaz Ahmed, Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav form India's spin attack. Shardul Thakur, Chahar, Avesh Khan and Mohammed Siraj, will man the pace department, along with a star-performer Mukesh, who had rattled New Zealand A team and domestic teams in the Irani Cup match.
South Africa will be wanting their stars Quinton de Kock, Bavuma, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks and Janneman Malan to garner points to help their side to qualify for the 50-over World Cup next year.
They will also want their bowlers like Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorious, and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi to spell doom to new-looking Team India.
Teams:
India: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubhman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohd. Siraj, Deepak Chahar.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, A ndile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
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