All eyes on KL Rahul's India as they face the Proteas challenge

After a gripping Test series, where the hosts South Africa made a sparkling comeback, all eyes would be on the three ODIs, starting in Paarl on Wednesday. Interestingly, the question around the Indian setup would be if they are going to use this series as an experimental one, considering that they have already qualified for the competition. 

On the other hand, South Africa would be desperate to crack the format that has caused them plenty of woes in the recent past. With them winning the Test series, the Proteas would be confident of cracking down the Indian wall but there are several questions that they would have to answer first before the breach. 

KL Rahul’s return to the top of the order

It isn’t ideal for India’s preparation for the 2023 ODI World Cup, with KL Rahul returning to the top of the order. Ahead of the first ODI, Rahul, who is leading the side confirmed that he would return back to the top but still stated that ‘flexibility’ is going to be the art for him. 

"We don't want to be predictable. I am going to be flexible as a batter. I will be opening now but I also understand I'll have to switch to the middle or lower order later,” Rahul stated in the pre-match press conference. 

Invariably, this move is going to come at a cost for India’s future, especially considering how Rahul possess all the tools to succeed in the middle-order. He can withstand pressure, run the quick singles and yet switch gears when required. His presence in the middle-order only would elevate the Indian batting unit. 

In the middle-order last year, Rahul scored 177 runs, at an average of 88.50 and a strike-rate of 101.14. With him returning back to the top of the order, it only grabs the opportunity away from the youngsters, who could be given an extended run at the top of the order, in Rohit Sharma’s absence. A chance missed?

Can Janneman Malan continue his red-hot streak?

South Africa haven’t been the best of ODI units but Janneman Malan’s emergence has made them a threatening side with the bat. Since his debut, Malan has scored 661 runs, out of which 509 came in 2021, averaging 84.33, striking at 92.04. Two fifties and two centuries, Malan’s 2021 was a sight of pure delight. But can he sustain it?

History suggests that Malan has the tools to continue his red-hot streak, with his List A numbers being the evidence, with 2927 runs at 50.46. While he has scored three centuries in ODIs, against Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland, his biggest test would be India.

Since the start of 2021, in ODIs, South Africa have the best opening-wicket partnership, averaging 55 and India’s bowling unit, have struggled with the new ball. It would make for a gripping contest 

The battle of two 'rich' pace attacks

While the all-rounder spot has irked India for a while, their performance with the new ball has been disappointing. Since August 2019, India have the worst record (among top ten teams) with the new ball, with only seven wickets, picking up a wicket every 169.7th delivery. 

Despite consisting of superstars in the bowling unit, India will have to find a way out of the rut. On the back of the struggle, India would be tempted to try out Mohammed Siraj in the bowling unit, possibly at the expense of one of Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Deepak Chahar. 

Siraj not just offers control with the new-ball but also possess the yorkers that could come in handy to assist Jasprit Bumrah during the death overs.  

South Africa too have struggled, with a wicket every 50th delivery during the initial phase of the innings. Their two lead pacers – Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi – have only struck seven times in the powerplay in seven games, a worry. While both the pace units put on a performance with the red-ball, it is time for them to swap those performances with the white-ball.

It would be interesting to see if the Proteas hand debut to Marco Jansen and bring back Wayne Parnell in the scheme of things, considering India’s weakness against left-arm seamers. With 19 wickets in the Test series, Jansen’s debut in ODIs wouldn’t come at a better time for him. 

Predicted XI and Team combination

For India, there are plenty of questions, as raised here in this piece. But a few major ones: Does Rahul open? Do India trust Venkatesh Iyer? Is Mohammed Siraj going to become an integral part of the white-ball setup? 

India’s predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

On the other hand, South Africa have a stable top-order and a middle-order that consists of experience and youth. The only question for them would be the make-up of the bowling unit, which would be starkly different to the last time they played an ODI.

South Africa’s predicted XI: Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock (wk), David Miller, Wian Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi