IND vs SA: Rejuvenated Rohit, Virat look to seal collection for India in Raipur


Rejuvenated by the presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the Indian staff lastly hit again at South Africa for the primary time within the bilateral collection. Taking part in at Ranchi’s JSCA Stadium, India victory didn’t come straightforward although. The hosts beat the Proteas within the opening ODI by 17 runs in what became a nervy and unpredictable battle. The 2 veterans emerged because the heroes of the match, producing superlative knocks that helped the hosts set a difficult goal for the South African facet.

Rohit and Virat have been the focal point in Ranchi final Sunday, and the encircling pleasure will stay simply as intense forward of the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3. Raipur, which doesn’t host worldwide matches usually, has dressed as much as welcome the duo, conscious that the town may be witnessing two legends within the closing couple of years of their careers. There’s a sense of event round their presence that the followers and the organizers have totally embraced.

And that sense of pleasure is legitimate. What the senior duo did within the opening ODI instructions that respect. The strategies that Rohit and Virat utilized in Ranchi once more confirmed that the duo are determined to safe their spots on the teamsheet for the 2027 World Cup. They know very nicely, particularly after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy final yr, that the distinction between boarding a flight to South Africa for that match and being left at residence might come down to only a few innings. That fantastic margin has compelled them right into a mindset the place each knock looks like half audition and half assertion.

Due to that, each have ensured they deal with each innings as if it have been their final significant alternative. Rohit has returned to the function of an accumulator, a shift that has helped him produce three fifty-plus scores in his final three innings, a degree of consistency that followers had not witnessed from him in fairly a while. Then again, Virat Kohli appeared to search out an additional gear, rediscovering that nearly infantile pleasure in batting that many believed had been subdued by years of meticulous self-discipline and mechanical perfection, the very attributes that helped him turn into one of the dominant batsmen of his period.

Issues are anticipated to stay largely unchanged for India within the Raipur ODI. The staff is unlikely to make main alterations from the Ranchi outing until they need to experiment with Tilak Varma or Rishabh Pant within the batting line-up. A kind of two might slot in for Washington Sundarwho didn’t provide a lot with both bat or ball within the earlier recreation. The administration may even see this as the correct second to check depth with out disturbing the general stability of the facet.

South Africa Prone to Make Modifications

The situation is kind of completely different within the South African camp. The Proteas suffered their first defeat of the tour within the opening ODI, and that loss may be traced to 2 clear phases of the match the place they faltered.

The primary concern stemmed from their staff choice. They opted to play 4 quick bowlers, and the dearth of variations within the first 20 overs allowed Virat Kohli to dominate, creating momentum that propelled India to a complete of 350. A extra balanced assault, with both a specialist spinner or a extra various set of skill-sets among the many pacers, might need helped them prohibit India to a extra manageable complete.

The second turning level arrived early of their chase. South Africa struggled to deal with the depth of Harshit Rana, who bowled impeccable lengths in his opening spell and dismissed two of their batters. His sharp begin created stress that the remainder of the batting line-up didn’t shake off.

Each these indicators level in direction of modifications within the South African line-up for the subsequent match, and they’re more likely to make at the very least two changes. Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, who have been rested within the first matchare anticipated to return, with Ryan Rickelton and Prenelan Subrayen more likely to make means. Their presence provides expertise and stability, which South Africa will want badly in Raipur.

IND vs SA: Match Particulars

Match: 2nd ODI

Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Worldwide Cricket Stadium, Raipur

Timing: 1:30 PM IST

Date: December 3

IND vs SA: Raipur Pitch and Climate Report

Circumstances in Raipur are anticipated to be nice as winter steadily settles over central India. There’s not plenty of information accessible on the pitch, however early indications counsel that it could favor the batters. Just one ODI has been performed at this venue thus far, between India and New Zealand in 2023, the place New Zealand have been bowled out for simply 108 runs. India chased the overall down in a bit over 20 overs, though that match was closely influenced by motion early within the day. The floor this time might behave in a different way, particularly with the change in season.

IND vs SA, third ODI: Livestreaming Particulars

The India vs South Africa match will probably be telecast on the Star Sports activities community. The sport will probably be streamed reside on JioHotstar.

India Predicted XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar or Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c and wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.

South Africa Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman.

– ends

Revealed By:

Kingshuk Kusari

Revealed On:

Dec 3, 2025