India vs South Africa Sixth ODI Match, 2018: Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Hardik Pandya Among Key Players to Watch Out For at Centurion
The last time India and South Africa played an ODI at this venue, the Men in Blue reduced the Proteas to their lowest ODI score at home.
India will play South Africa in last One Day International (ODI) of the six-match series on February 16. The sixth ODI match between the two sides will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The last time India and South Africa played an ODI at the same venue, the 'Men in Blue' reduced the Proteas to their lowest ODI score at home.
A lot of players will have to step up in the final ODI of the ongoing series. There are chances that India might tweak the playing XI, given that they want to give some exposure to the players on the bench. We at Latestly, bring to you a list of players who will be the differentiating factor in the final match of the ODI series.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma hit a crucial century in the previous ODI. His knock of 115 runs off 126 balls saw India post a competitive total on the scoreboard. After a dismal Test Tour and the first leg of the ODI Tour, Rohit Sharma would be looking forward to ending the series on a high.
2. AB de Villiers
The swashbuckling South African batsman had to sit out for the first three ODIs in the series as he was nursing a finger injury. There were a lot of expectations from the former Proteas captain when he joined the squad in the fourth ODI. AB de Villiers will be itching to end the series with a blistering knock.
3. Hardik Pandya
The all-rounder hasn’t been able to contribute with the bat significantly during the ODI series. However, Hardik Pandya has provided crucial breakthroughs with his medium-pace bowling. Pandya, being the live wire on the field that he is, has affected run-outs in a couple of crunch situations on the tour. Pandya would be looking to end the ODI series on a positive note.
4. The Spin Combo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal
For some time in the fourth ODI, it seemed that the South Africans have figured out the spin-mystery of the spin-duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, the mirage was short-lived, and the Proteas batsmen were bamboozled in the fifth ODI too. Come Friday, the ‘KulCha’ would be looking forward to running riot on South Africa once again.
5. Hashim Amla
The senior pro in the side, Hashim Amla, would be looking forward to proving his worth in the side. After a quiet series, Amla hasn't been in the best of forms recently. However, Amla scored a hard-fought 71 runs, before his struggling inning was cut short by Hardik Pandya. Amla would be looking forward to shouldering the burden in the last ODI of the series.
The Indian team has won the ODI series already and is 4-1 up, going in the final ODI match, which is their maiden series win on the South African soil. The dead rubber at Centurion doesn’t have much to offer for both the sides. However, India would be looking to humiliate South Africa further, while the home team would be playing to salvage some pride. The live telecast of the match will begin at 04.30 p.m. (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 06:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).