India Eyes Victory in ODI Series Against South Africa With Kohli and Rohit Leading the Charge

India is set to face South Africa in the second ODI of the series, looking to secure victory with key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma leading the charge. The match will take place in Ranchi, where India emerged victorious by 17 runs in the first encounter. Kohli scored his record 52nd ODI hundred while Rohit contributed 57 runs, helping the team withstand a late surge from South Africa.

Players Under Scrutiny

As both players focus on their form ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, they are reportedly managing ongoing differences with head coach Gautam Gambhir. This situation has prompted discussions about the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) potentially stepping in.

Performance Recap

The recent success includes a notable win over Australia, where India claimed a nine-wicket victory in Sydney. However, the squad’s combination remains uncertain as adjustments to batting positions were evident during the first ODI.

• Ruturaj Gaikwad was moved from opening to number four, struggling to adapt.
• K L Rahul continued at number six despite ongoing competition.
• Washington Sundar, who has shifted roles frequently, batted at number five and only bowled three overs.

Bowler Insights

Harshit Rana showcased his potential by taking two early wickets but will need to refine his accuracy. Kuldeep Yadav also made significant contributions, returning figures of 4/68 despite being expensive at times, aiding India’s efforts against South Africa who finished just short of the target.

South Africa’s Comeback

The visiting team demonstrates resilience, recovering from a precarious position of 11 for 3. Marco Jansen’s aggressive batting included a half-century off just 26 balls, while Matthew Breetzke scored 72 runs on his debut. However, South Africa played without their captain Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, who are anticipated to return for the next match.

Conditions and Expectations

In Raipur, the conditions are expected to be less familiar for both teams. The pitch at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium hosted a low-scoring ODI earlier this year, with India notably bowling out New Zealand for only 108 runs.

Squad Overview

The rosters for the upcoming match include:

As the series continues, all eyes will be on Kohli and Rohit, who remain pivotal to India’s aspirations for victory against South Africa.