South Africa’s limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma feels Quinton de Kock will have a point to prove in the ODI series against India.
The South African wicket-keeper batter had surprisingly decided to retire from the Test format after the first match against India at Centurion.
De Kock had revealed that he wants to spend more time with his young family and thus gave up the red-ball version. Meanwhile, it is well known that the wicket-keeper batter is a key part of South Africa’s limited-overs set up and he would look to have a good series against India.
Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock has a great ODI record against India as he has amassed 784 runs in 13 matches at an impressive average of 60.30 and he will look to continue the good show. The southpaw has scored five ODI centuries against the Indian team.
“It is good to see him again. We obviously missed him in the Test team but he has made his decision to retire from the longest format. We respect his decision, having him back has been good. Quinton will have a point to prove and I am sure he is also as excited as we are to see him in the team,” Bavuma told reporters in the virtual presser.
Meanwhile, Marco Jansen who made an impressive start to his Test career against India is expected to make his ODI debut. Jansen finished as the second-highest wicket-taker of the Test series as he scalped 19 wickets in three matches at an average of 16.47. The lanky fast bowler will look to carry his good form in white-ball format.
“Marco Jansen has been drafted into the ODI squad, the world has been what cricketing abilities he has. It was a no-brainer to get him into the ODI squad. The Indian outfit is a strong white-ball squad. We will give them the respect we do to any other team. We do not expect this series to be easier, we know it will be tough. We will be preparing as well as we can,” he added.
South Africa had lost their last ODI series against Sri Lanka by 2-1 and it will be interesting to note their playing combination. Bavuma added that he would want extra options in the bowling department.
“As a captain, you want as many resources as you can,” Bavuma told reporters on Tuesday. “You have to accept that probably one bowler on the day won’t hit his straps. “I would like to have as many options as I can, taking into account the balance of the team.”
The first ODI will be played on Wednesday.
