India host South Africa in an ODI series that will have significance for the 2023 World Cup.
South Africa undoubtedly have the greater motivation as they seek all the points they can get in the Cricket World Cup Super League.
India vs South Africa | First ODI | Thursday 6 October 2022 | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 10:00
India
India will rest a number of stars for this series including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
In the absence of Sharma, his usual opening partner Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side.
India look set to test their batting depth in this series, against a very good South African bowling attack.
Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Siraj are afforded a vital opportunity to push for a place in the group that will attempt to win the World Cup at home next year.
South Africa
Janneman Malan comes into this match in the format that he has bossed for some time and South Africa will hope for a lift from him.
Rilee Rossouw ended the T20I series with a hundred but at this stage isn’t in the ODI plans and is not part of this squad.
The Proteas pace trio of Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje might be competing for just two places in the side.
Keshav Maharaj is the main spinner in the ODI squad but there has been more than a suggestion that the Proteas will also use Tabraiz Shamsi and the off-spin of Aiden Markam in these conditions.
Verdict: India
At home India should have the edge unless the Proteas can get on top of their young batters.
