After the completion of the T20I series, India and South Africa will each other in the first ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday. India had last played an ODI series against Zimbabwe, which they had won by 3-0.

On the other hand, South Africa had played against England in a three-match ODI series, which had ended in 1-1 after there was no result in the third game.

With all the focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup, the ODI format has taken a back burner. However, around the same time next year, the 2023 ODI World Cup will be played in India and thus it will be a perfect opportunity for South Africa to get the much-needed practice under their belt.

Furthermore, South Africa has won only four matches out of the 13 they have played in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Thus, the Proteas are struggling at the 11th position in the standings and they would want to add crucial points to their bag in the upcoming series against India.

On the other hand, India, the hosts of the next ODI World Cup, have handed ODI call-ups to Rajat Patidar and Mukesh Kumar, who both have impressed in the domestic circuit. The hosts will be led by Shikhar Dhawan, who will look to get the best out of the young players.

​​Match Prediction: Despite selecting a B-team because of the T20 World Cup, India might start as favorites against the tourists.

India’s ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubhman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar.

South Africa’s ODI Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.