South Africa vs India 6th ODI: Probable XI
What's the story
With the series already wrapped up, the men in blue will look to rest some key players as India take on South Africa in the 6th ODI at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Despite being a dead-rubber, Kohli is not going to take this lightly and will look to make it a 5-1 series triumph before heading to the T20Is. Here's predicted playing XI.
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India to test bench strength in dead rubber
"We want to win 5-1, for sure, but there might be a scenario for a few more guys to get a chance in the next match. But the ultimate priority is to win and we'll do anything we can to win", Virat Kohli said.
Pacers rested
Bhuvi and Bumrah might be given much needed rest
Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have played non-stop cricket, since the limited-overs leg of the tour of Sri Lanka. While Bhuvi has featured in 19 ODIs, 6 T20Is and 2 Tests, his bowling partner Bumrah has played 20 ODIs along with 8 T20Is and 3 Tests. Virat Kohli might give both of them much deserved rest in the dead rubber.
Chasing history
Kuldeep close to another record
Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, is chasing history and needs just 3 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker in a bilateral series in ODI cricket's history. Kuldeep already holds the record for the most wickets in a bilateral series in South Africa, with 16 to his name. Javagal Srinath and Amit Mishra top the all-time list with 18 wickets each.
Data
MS Dhoni chases history at the Centurion
MS Dhoni could script history at Centurion by becoming the 12th man and the 4th Indian to reach the 10,000 run mark in ODI cricket. The Ranchi man is 33 runs short of the milestone.
India XI
Manish Pandey likely to get a chance
Rohit Sharma finally silenced his critics with his first hundred on South Africa soil and is likely to open the innings alongside in-form Shikhar Dhawan. Kohli, Rahane, Dhoni and Pandya will comprise of the middle order. Manish Pandey might get a chance, while Bumrah and Bhuvi will make way for Shami and Shardul Thakur. Kuldeep and Chahal will finish the XI.
Fighting for pride
South Africa playing XI
South Africa might have lost the ODI series but they will be playing for pride before they head into the three-match T20I series. Amla's improving form is much welcomed. South Africa's playing XI: Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Morne Morkel.