After the team’s younger batters struggled to find form in opener against South Africa, KL Rahul & Co will hope to find better balance, consistency in second ODI at Raipur today
India players celebrate the dismissal of South Africa’s Marco Jansen during the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday. Pic/PTI
The chatter around the volatile dressing room environment notwithstanding, India will rely on Virat Kohli’s imperious form and Rohit Sharma’s indomitable presence to seal a series victory over a doughty South Africa in the second ODI, here on Wednesday.
A record-extending 52nd ODI century by Kohli and a rapid 57 from Rohit paved the way for India’s 17-run win in the series-opener at Ranchi, where the home bowlers endured a spirited fightback from the Proteas before managing to stop them.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup two years away, Kohli and Rohit are not only auditioning every match to prove their fitness and form but are also reportedly managing growing differences with head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The issue has dominated the off-field talk and is expected to have the BCCI stepping in at some point.
Having set up two consecutive victories for India in last as many ODIs — including a nine-wicket hammering of Australia at Sydney in October — Kohli and Rohit have shown they will do everything possible to be on that flight to the World Cup in South Africa.
However, India have a lot more to worry about despite the opening win. For starters, the combination does not seem perfectly aligned.
Gaikwad out of sorts
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has built an impressive record in List A cricket, was pushed from opening to No 4. He did not look completely conditioned for the role, with stand-in captain KL Rahul staunchly defending his position at No 6.
Washington Sundar is not new to such experiments as the Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who batted at No 3 in Kolkata Test against the Proteas, has seen plenty of changes in his batting positions. But in the first ODI at No 5, he too was among the batters dismissed in a phase where India slowed down.
And again for an all-rounder, Washington also had another light day in terms of bowling as he sent down only three overs for 18 runs.
Having charted the team’s victories in the last two ODIs against Australia and South Africa, Rohit and Kohli did not look in a mood to take the foot off the pedal here on Tuesday.
Kohli looked in prime touch as he went hard against the throw-down specialists Raghu (right-arm) and Nuwan Seneviratne (left-arm) who cranked it up.
Kohli goes hard in nets
It was a captivating phase under lights, with Kohli middling most of the deliveries but on occasions he was beaten by the raw pace generated by Raghu.
1
No. of ODIs Raipur has hosted till date — India beat NZ in 2023
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
