South Africa vs India Prediction: India are high on confidence

South Africa and India are going head to head in the 1st Match of One Day Series at Wanderers Stadium, South Africa on 17 Dec 2023. India came back strongly in the last game to level up the T20 series. Can they take that momentum into the ODIs? Who will win this game of cricket?

South Africa's ODI squad is eager to test out new players as they prepare for the Champions Trophy and the next World Cup. Aiden Markram has taken on the role of ODI captain and will be a crucial member of the batting lineup. Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi may open the batting, followed by Van der Dussen, Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Andile Phehlukwayo as the all-rounder at number 7. The team has a strong batting lineup, but they may struggle against Indian spinners, except for Klaasen who is comfortable attacking spin. The bowlers expected to feature in the first match are Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams, and Ottneil Baartman. This South African team is currently in transition and with some key players being rested for the Tests, they have several weaknesses that could be exploited.

Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Ottniel Bartman

India has opted for an experimental team for the ODIs, with KL Rahul being appointed as captain. Rahul, who has had considerable success in the middle-order, will have to make significant decisions regarding the players he wants to support and the positions he wants them to fill. If fit, Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to open the batting, potentially accompanied by the impressive Sai Sudharsan, who performed well in the IPL season of 2022. Another contender for the opening slot is Rajat Patidar. In the middle-order, India is expected to include Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh. Although this is a fresh-looking team, it comprises experienced players who are familiar with performing on the big stage. Axar Patel has returned to the ODI squad, offering an all-round option. While both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have been included in the squad, the team's focus on batting depth suggests that it is unlikely for both of them to make it into the playing eleven. Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Deepak Chahar are the available fast-bowling options. The bench strength of the Indian team is evident here, and we believe that they will pose a significant challenge for the South Africa side.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C)(wk), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh

The team that wins the coin toss is likely to choose to field first. In Johannesburg, teams prefer not to defend as the matches tend to have high scores. According to statistics, 54.55% of the matches have been won by the team chasing. There is a small chance of rain predicted on match day, but overall, the weather forecast is favorable, and we can expect an uninterrupted contest in Johannesburg. The pitch at this venue is excellent for batting. In the previous T20 match, we witnessed 17 sixes being hit, even though South Africa only managed to score 95 runs. There will be plenty of runs again, with teams targeting a minimum of 330. There was some assistance for the spinners in the previous match, and if the pitch remains similar, it will give India a significant advantage.

In our opinion, India has a good chance of winning this ODI. Although their batting lineup may be different from what you are accustomed to seeing, it is still formidable. South Africa has decided to rest their key bowlers, and their backup attack doesn't seem as threatening. Considering that spin played a significant role in the previous match on a similar surface, we believe India will emerge victorious once again. We recommend betting on India to win.