Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
IND vs SA 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs SA 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs South Africa 1st ODI Preview Dream11 | IND vs SA 1st ODI Key Players | Pitch Report
The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa, so soon before the IPL in a World T20 year, seems like odd scheduling.
However, India, after winning the T20I series against the Kiwis 5-0, had a forgettable tour, getting whitewashed in both ODIs and Test series. Virat Kohli always has the desire to win, so he will be out to ensure India get back to winning ways after a string of defeats.
South Africa, on the other hand, are full of confidence after a series clean sweep against the Aussies. It was their first series win in any format in 12 months, and now will be looking to continue the momentum by giving India a hard time.
Key Stats/Key Players to Watch
- Virat Kohli has 1287 runs from 27 games at an average of 64.35; the most runs among active players in India vs SA games.
- Returning from injury, Shikhar Dhawan has 798 runs from 18 games against the Proteas. He will be key in the continued absence of Rohit Sharma.
- The new Protea Skipper Quinton de Kock has scored 784 runs from 13 games at an average of 60.30 against India.
- Heinrich Klaasen is coming off a superb series vs Australia, where he scored 123*, 51 and 68*.
- Faf du Plessis has 696 runs from 14 games against the men in blue.
- The spin twins; Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, are the top two wicket-takers in the current squads with 20 and 18 wickets respectively in seven games each.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 15 wickets from 12 games vs SA and will be important for India after his return from injury.
- Jasprit Bumrah, who was well below his usual best in New Zealand, has 12 wickets in eight games with an economy of just 3.83.
- Lungi Ngidi has eight wickets in four games vs India. Ngidi was outstanding in South Africa’s limited-overs season, taking a total of 25 wickets in his last nine games across ODIs and T20Is.
Dharamshala Cricket Ground Stats
- Virat Kohli loves playing at Dharmashala. He is the highest run-scorer on this ground with 212 runs in three games at an average of 106, including one century and one half-century.
- Teams chasing have won three out of four games on this ground.
- Sides batting first average 23.83 runs per wicket. In contrast, sides batting second average 40.30.
Key to an India Win
Virat Kohli’s form in New Zealand was the most concerning aspect of the tough tour for the Indians; he didn’t even score a single ton across formats. India will want him to get back in form and do what he does the best. With the return of Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India will fancy their chances against the young, inexperienced Proteas side.

Key to a South Africa Win
This Proteas side played exceptionally well against the Aussies. The likes of Janneman Malan, Anrich Nortje, Heinrich Klaasen and JJ Smuts would want to grab this opportunity to impress further. Senior players like Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and David Miller will have to take responsibility and lead the way if they are to win this match.

Possible Playing 11:
India Squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill.
Rohit Sharma has still not recovered. Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar return to the national side.
India: 1.Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Prithvi Shaw, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. KL Rahul (wk), 6. Manish Pandey, 7. Hardik Pandya 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10. Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan.
Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen return to the Proteas’ squad.
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 2. Janneman Malan, 3. JJ Smuts, 4. Faf du Plessis, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Keshav Maharaj, 9. George Linde, 10. Anrich Nortje 11. Lungi Ngidi
Dharamshala Pitch Report and Conditions
Teams batting second generally do well in these conditions. This could particularly be the case in this match with rain forecast, which could prompt the captain who wins the toss to bowl first.
The weather forecast is for cold (maximum 13 degrees) and some rain throughout the day.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction
Although India didn’t have a good series against New Zealand, they are a very strong side, especially in their home conditions. They should be expected to edge this inexperienced South Africa side.
Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on Twitter today