BCCI announces India's 15-member squad for South Africa ODIs
The BCCI announced India's 15-member squad to face South Africa for the upcoming three-match ODI series, starting March 12. All-rounder Hardik Pandya makes a return to the side after a long injury spell. Joining him was senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who missed the New Zealand tour due to injury. Here's more details on the same.
Pandya has scored two successive centuries in the ongoing DY Patil T20 Cup. He got scores of 105 and 158* for Reliance 1. His comeback strengthens the Indian cricket team drastically. Meanwhile, Dhawan will open the batting for India alongside Prithvi Shaw. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, the latter gets another bite in the cherry. He misfired during the New Zealand ODIs.
Kohli will want to banish the memories of a poor New Zealand tour and lead the show. He will get immense support from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul at number four and five. India also have options in the middle with Manish Pandey and the versatile Shubman Gill available. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is the second-choice keeper.
A look at the Indian squad to face South Africa: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill.
With Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja as all-rounders in the side, India could be fielding both of them at number six and seven respectively. India could then go with four specialist bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace-bowling show. He is supported by Navdeep Saini and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal come in as prime options.
Meanwhile, South Africa announced their squad for the series against India. After a disastrous ICC World Cup 2019, SA saw the series against England ending in a 1-1 draw. They beat Australia 3-0 in the recently-concluded ODI series. SA will be aiming to continue with this momentum and catch India off guard. India were thrashed 3-0 by NZ in ODIs.
Here's the SA squad: Quinton de Kock (captain and keeper), Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj.
