India vs South Africa Sixth ODI 2018 Preview: Men in Blue Aim to Humiliate Proteas Further, Home Team Play to Salvage Their Pride!
Will South Africa be able to stop India, one last time, in this ODI series or will Kohli's men have the last laugh?
After conquering the South African team in the fifth One Day International, team India would be looking to finish the series on a winning note. Virat Kohli-led Indian team made history at St. George's Park, in Port Elizabeth as they won their maiden ODI series win on the South African soil. India is 4-1 up in the six-match ODI series and has now clinched the top spot in ICC ODI Team Rankings from South Africa. The final ODI in the series is going to be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion on February 16.
The Indian team made a successful start in their ODI campaign as they won three matches on a trot. India was defeated by a resurgent South African side in the fourth ODI in the rain-truncated match. However, just as when it seemed that the Proteas have figured out the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal (KulCha), they were devastated in the fifth ODI too.
For South Africa, they have nothing much to think about the dead rubber at SuperSport Park tomorrow. None of their players have stood up, and eventually, they had to pay the price. Untimely injuries also hurt their chances in the series as players Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, and Quinton de Kock all play some part of the series only.
Rohit Sharma hit a brilliant century in the fourth ODI and India would be looking forward to the 'Hitman' Sharma to provide another splendid start. Skipper Kohli suggested that there might be a couple of changes in the side, but then India will not be looking at anything less than a win. However, India will be mulling to make few changes to give the youngsters in the side, a chance to play in these conditions.
The toss will be a crucial factor at Centurion tomorrow. The last time both the sides met here, in second ODI, India bowled out South Africa to their lowest ODI total. India's wrist spinners shared 8 wickets them and gave away only 42 runs.
India’s Likely XI:
1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Ajinkya Rahane/ Manish Pandey, 5. Shreyas Iyer, 6. MS Dhoni (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Yuzvendra Chahal, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11. Jasprit Bumrah / Shardul Thakur.
On the bench: Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami.
South Africa’s Likely XI:
1. Aiden Markram (c), 2. Hashim Amla, 3. AB de Villiers, 4. JP Duminy, 5. David Miller, 6. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7. Chris Morris / Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Morne Morkel, 9. Lungisani Ngidi, 10. Imran Tahir, 11. Kagiso Rabada
On the bench: Tabraiz Shamsi, Khayelihle Zondo, and Farhaan Behardien.
After the Test Series loss, the Men in Blue have comeback stronger in the ODI series. Not only would they be looking to win their last ODI match, but also want to carry the winning momentum in the three-match T20I series. Will South Africa be able to stop India, one last time, in the ODI series or will Kohli's men have the last laugh?
It will be interesting to see how both the sides approach the final ODI in the series tomorrow. The match is scheduled to begin at 4.30 pm (IST). Stay tuned for all the latest updates about India vs South Africa ODI Series 2018 here.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 15, 2018 10:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).