India vs South Africa: 20 Tosses Without a Win India Faces Baffling Streak as Bavuma Chooses to Bowl in Raipur

In a surprising twist for Indian cricket, the team continued its puzzling streak of losing tosses in ODIs, extending the record to 20 consecutive losses. On Wednesday, South African captain Temba Bavuma, returning to action, won the toss and opted to bowl first during the second ODI in Raipur. This game was crucial for South Africa as they hoped to keep the series alive after India’s thrilling victory by 17 runs in the first ODI in Ranchi.

Temba Bavuma’s Decision to Bowl First

With conditions expected to favor batting later in the match, Bavuma’s decision seemed strategic. After missing the previous game, he expressed his hope that the dew would help his bowlers during the chase. “We are looking forward to a few advantages from the dew later on,” he stated during the toss.

India’s Streak of Toss Losses

India’s last successful toss in an ODI occurred during the 2023 World Cup semi-finals. Captain KL Rahul, appearing slightly bemused, acknowledged the ongoing toss streak: “We haven’t won the toss for a long time,” he remarked. The team’s strategy is clear; they plan to score runs and apply pressure early with the ball.

Match Conditions and Team Changes

The pitch at Raipur presented its own set of challenges. Analysts Deep Dasgupta and Shaun Pollock noted a two-paced surface with varying bounce. Pollock warned that conditions might not be as favorable for scoring compared to Ranchi. Additionally, reverse swing could play a significant role due to the pitch’s abrasive nature.

Playing XI

Both teams confirmed their line-ups ahead of the match. India’s unchanged squad featured key players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. South Africa made three significant changes with Bavuma returning along with Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi.

The ongoing streak poses intriguing questions as to how India will address this issue moving forward in the series against South Africa.