India and South Africa will square off in a three-match ODI series, with the first encounter scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Sunday, December 17, following an exciting T20I series in which both teams split the spoils.
Both sides advanced to the 2023 World Cup semifinals, with the Men in Blue advancing one step further to face off in the top match. With the Test series starting on December 26, several of the more seasoned players from both countries have been sidelined from the white-ball leg due to the likelihood that they would be rebuilding for the next World Cup cycle.
This might provide opportunity for some new faces from both teams to make an impression and establish themselves in the ODI format. However, here are three critical player clashes that might determine the series’ fate:
3. KL Rahul vs Keshav Maharaj
KL Rahul, the interim captain, has stated that he will bat in the middle order during the series, which implies he may play most of the overs against the South African spinners. While he may not receive as much turn from the pitch as he most likely did in India during the 2023 World Cup, bowler Keshav Maharaj is rightfully ranked #1 in the ODI rankings.
Maharaj can be a handful with his variations and will benefit from more bounce from the surface. It would be intriguing to observe how Rahul manages Maharaj’s skills while also keeping the tempo of India’s middle overs consistent.
2. Heinrich Klaasen vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Heinrich Klaasen has demonstrated extraordinary batting form over the past year, establishing himself as one of the best players of spin bowling. A fascinating matchup has been his battles against veteran Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Their contests feature contrasting styles and highlight Klaasen’s aggressive approach against spin.
Klaasen has scored 80 runs off 34 balls against Chahal in T20I cricket. In ODIs, however, it is practically even-stevens, with Klaasen scoring 34 from 34 balls and being removed once by the leg-spinner. Chahal will be driven to perform well after being left out of India’s World Cup roster, and how he manages Klaasen might determine the series’ outcome.
1. Shreyas Iyer vs Tabraiz Shamsi
Shreyas Iyer, like KL Rahul, is a veteran Indian batsman who will be crucial to his team’s hopes in the ODI series. Iyer, another talented spinner, has already faced Tabraiz Shamsi and has a solid record against the left-arm wrist-spinner.
In one-day internationals, Iyer has amassed 68 runs off of 56 balls against Shamsi and has also been removed once by the elite spinner. Because they are both courageous individuals who aren’t ready to give up, this match-up is fantastic.