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Whether he is batting in the middle or fielding at the boundary, Kohli’s every move is tracked, but some attention will have to be given to him now.
More importantly, will he be at his usual animated best on the field or will Kohli be a force to reckon with in the cricket world after his surprise resignation from Test captaincy ending his innings as the team’s official leader? Will you see dominance?
He did not want to give up the ODI captaincy after relinquishing the role in the shortest format and this led to a war of words with the BCCI over how to handle the whole affair.
His supporters and Indian cricket in general will be hoping that Kohli has firmly put his differences with the BCCI behind him and come Wednesday, he starts a new innings with his willow. Two years later a much-desired century would be the cherry on top.
Rahul, who is leading the side in the absence of injured Rohit Sharma, is expected to consult Kohli during the series. Not only does Kohli have a major role to play as a batsman, but the star will “always be a leader” in the team, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said on the eve of the series.
With the new leadership and support staff, India will look to win the series with a look at preparations for the 2023 World Cup and make up for the disappointment of an unexpected loss in Tests last week.
The last time India played an ODI series at full strength was against England in March at home, before a second-string team traveling to Sri Lanka in July.
Rahul batted in the middle order against England but it remains to be seen if he moves back to the top along with Shikhar Dhawan.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made it to the team after an extraordinary domestic season, may have to wait longer for his ODI debut.
It will be a crucial three matches for the veteran Dhawan, who has already lost his place in the T20I squad.
The southpaw has thrived under pressure in the past and will look to cement his position as the first-choice opener once Rohit returns from injury.
Kohli will bat at his usual third position while there will be a toss between Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer for the fourth position.
Rishabh Pant is expected to come in at number five, while Venkatesh Iyer, likely to open the 50-over on six as an all-rounder, showed promise in the T20Is against New Zealand.
The two spinners likely to play are Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin, who have made a comeback after more than four years.
Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will share the load in the pace department while the management can choose Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur or the famous Krishna for the third pace option.
Mohammad Siraj, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Test series, is also fit as per Bumrah’s suggestion on Monday.
On the last tour, India thrashed the hosts 5-1 in ODIs and they will gain confidence from that.
South Africa will be on course after a memorable win in the five-day format.
Captain Temba Bavuma played some crucial part in the last Test and he will carry that confidence with his batting as well as in his leadership.
Quinton de Kock, who retired from Test cricket after the first match of the series against India, started his life only as a white-ball player.
Long left-arm pacer Marco Jensen, who excelled in his maiden Test series, is expected to trouble the Indian batsmen after earning the first call-up with his extra bounce and variations in the short format.
If Tests were any indication, an ODI would have been a pretty tough fight.
full squad
India: KL Rahul (captain), Jasprit Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj, Jayant Yadav, Navdeep Saini.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Zubair Hamza, Marco Jensen, Janman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwayne Pretoriz, Kagas Shamsi, Rasi Van der Dussen, Kyle Veren.
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