India Vs South Africa: Here's the Probable India XI for 1st ODI in Durban

Durban, Jan 31: After losing the Test series 2-1, Indian cricket team is all set to clash with South Africa in the opening game of the ODI series on Thursday (February 1).

The first of the six-match ODI will be held at Durban and Team India would be hoping to change their record against Proteas.

India have a poor ODI record in South Africa, having won only won 5 out of 27 ODIs they have played against South Africa in South Africa. They have never won a bilateral series here or indeed beaten South Africa at Durban in ODI cricket.

India have previously lost 5-2 in 1992-93, 4-0 in 2006-07, 3-2 in 2010-11 and 2-0 in 2013-14. They were also part of two triangular series in 1996-97 and 2001-02, featuring Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively, but the Proteas emerged victors on both the occasions.

Virat Kohli and his boys would be hoping a better performance in the limited-overs series after a poor show in the Test series. However, team's historic win at Johannesburg in the third Test would have certainly boosted team's morale. Also, change in format ensures major changes in the side and the team looks more balanced and the Men in Blue would fancy their chances in this format.

If India were ranked No.1 in the Tests and were South Africa second, it's just the opposite in the ODIs. Proteas are No.1 in the ODIs, while India are ranked second in ODIs.

The team management, however, faces a major selection conundrum ahead of the first game. The biggest challenge India faces is who should bat at number four.

Ajinkya Rahane's innings in the third and final Test under difficult conditions once again presented his contention for the ODI squad with his gritty knock.

Here's the probable India XI for the 1st ODI:

1. Rohit Sharma

The India vice-captain might have faced criticism for his poor show in the Test series, but Rohit Sharma is an entirely different batsman in the limited-overs game.

The right-handed batsman from Mumbai would be opening the innings for India and team must be hoping Rohit starts from where he left in the ODI series against Sri Lanka at home.

2. Shikhar Dhawan/Ajinkya Rahane

The left-handed batsman will open the innings for India alongside Rohit Sharma. Like Rohit, he was also not in the best of his form in the Test series.

The explosive batsman from Delhi must be given a place in the side for the first ODI. He must be hoping to silence his critics with a better show in the limited-overs format.

However, there is a possibility that Ajinkya Rahane might be asked to open the innings.

3. Virat Kohli

The captain will be playing his first ODI after a gap of three months. This is the first ODI match Kohli will be playing after his marriage.

The captain charismatic will once again be leading the side from the front in the ODI series.

4. Shreyas Iyer/Ajinkya Rahane

The right-handed batsman from Mumbai performed really well in the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and he might just get rewarded for his good show with the bat at number 4.

However, keeping skipper Kohli's latest statement in which he claimed that conditions make Ajinkya Rahane strong No 4 candidate for World Cup, the youngster might initially get dropped from the side and Rahane gets picked up.

5. Kedar Jadhav

The dimunitive middle-order batsman will be back into the side after recovering from injury. Jadhav is a capable batsman and also a wicket-taking part time bowler. His ability to break partnerships at crucial stages might just come in handy for him and get prefered over Manish Pandey.

6. MS Dhoni (WK)

The veteran cricketer will be back in action once again and skipper Virat Kohli might once again get those vital inputs from behind the stumps.

Dhoni's presence and experience would bring in the much-needed stability for the side in the limited-overs' series.

7. Hardik Pandya

The all-rounder will be present in the middle-order in the limited-overs format. Pandya looked out of form in the remainder of the Test series after that 93-run knock in the first Test.

The Baroda all-rounder must be hoping to improve his performance in the limited-overs.

8. Yuzvendra Chahal

The wrist spinner might be the only spinner India play in the first ODI for pitches in South Africa would favour pacers.

Chahal is one of the most successful spinners in limited-overs and his ability to take wickets will be crucial for Team India's success in the first ODI.

9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The speedster has been in ominous form across all formats and he will definitely feature in India's ODI squad. Bhuvneshwar has been team's best new ball bowler and a brilliant death-overs' specialist.

The UP cricketer has also proven his mettle with the bat and team might rely upon his batting skills in times of need too.

10. Mohammad Shami

The Bengal pacer played a crucial role in the second innings of the third Test that India won by 63 runs agianst South Africa.

Shami, therefore, might get a chance to play in the limited-overs series as well for the pitches here might just suit him. However, there is a possibility that young Shardul Thakur features in the first ODI as Shami is too prone to injuries.

11. Jasprit Bumrah

The young speedster was one of the positives for India in the Test series as he constantly improved with every game.

The 24-year-old Gujarat cricketer bagged his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests in only his third Test match and certainly there are more to come.

Bumrah, however, is Team India's biggest weapon in the limited overs. He will be making it to the Playing XI in the first ODI and his good form will be very crucial for team's win.