IND vs SA 2nd ODI Playing-11, Will Rishabh Pant get a chance?: The Indian team registered a resounding 17-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi. The hosts are now looking to seal the series with a win in the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Wednesday. Stand-in captain KL Rahul and coach Gautam Gambhir will try to field their best playing XI for this decisive match.
Batsmen expected to repeat their performance
The Indian batsmen performed brilliantly in the first ODI in Ranchi:
- Virat Kohli scored a brilliant century, scoring 135 runs off 120 balls.
- Captain KL Rahul scored 60 runs, and Rohit Sharma scored 57 runs.
The team management will be hoping these three continue their excellent form in Raipur. Additionally, the team will hope that the bowlers improve their performance and that the batsmen, who failed to score many runs in the first match, contribute this time.
Also Read: Reports: Virat Kohli has refused to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Biggest challenge at No. 4: Pant or Gaikwad?
While opener Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to open in the first match, there doesn’t appear to be any major threat to his position. The real concern is the No. 4 spot, where Ruturaj Gaikwad played in the first match.
Will Rishabh Pant get a chance?
The team also has the option of Rishabh Pant at this position. However, the team management understands that it wouldn’t be fair to drop Gaikwad based on his performance in one match, especially since he wasn’t dismissed due to his poor batting, but rather due to an incredible catch by Dewald Brevis.
Possibility of change in the opening slot
One possibility is that the team could drop Yashasvi Jaiswal and make Ruturaj Gaikwad open with Rohit Sharma. Gaikwad is primarily an opener, so he could be sent back to his preferred position.
- If this happens, Rishabh Pant could get a chance at No. 4.
- Also, the team could consider trying Tilak Verma at No. 4.
Bowling needs improvement, but there’s little room for change
In the first match, India set South Africa a lofty target of 350 runs. The Indian bowlers bowled well initially, but lost their line and length in the middle overs, bringing the visitors within touching distance of victory. The team will have to pay attention to this aspect.
However, despite this omission in the first match, it is unlikely that the team management will make any major changes to the bowling attack.
India’s Probable Playing XI (IND vs SA 2nd ODI)
India’s Probable Playing XI for the second ODI could be as follows:
- KL Rahul (Captain/Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal / Rituraj Gaikwad
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant/ Rituraj Gaikwad
- Washington Sundar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
Also Read: Is it legal to enter the middle of the field during an ongoing match?
