(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] South Africa won the toss and opted to bat in the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series, scheduled in Johannesburg.
With the Test series around the corner, both the teams have given rest to most of their key players for the ODI assignment.
As for India, they are going in with a fairly inexperienced XI, picking Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan as their possible openers. Sudharsan has been handed the debut cap as he will be making his maiden appearance in international cricket.
There is a possibility that stand-in captain KL Rahul might open along with Gaikwad, but that is unlikely to happen. In this case, Sudharsan could bat at number three.
Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson are the other batters, while Axar Patel is the only all-rounder in the playing XI.
As expected, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is selected ahead of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar will perform the pace-bowling duties.
India Playing XI: KL Rahul (c/wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas
Iyer, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan,
Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar