After a humbling 0-2 defeat in the Test series, India will look to bounce back in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning on November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.
Historic Batting Partnership Record on the Line
The series will see a historic moment as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli aim to surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar-Rahul Dravid partnership record. The Tendulkar-Dravid pair featured in 391 international matches together, the highest for any Indian duo. Rohit and Kohli have now reached 391 matches as well, and with the first ODI in Ranchi, they are set to create a new record.
Top Indian Batting Pairs (International Matches Played)
1. Rohit Sharma – Virat Kohli: 392+
2. Sachin Tendulkar – Rahul Dravid: 391
3. Rahul Dravid – Sourav Ganguly: 369
4. Sachin Tendulkar – Anil Kumble: 367
5. Sachin Tendulkar – Sourav Ganguly: 341
6. Virat Kohli – Ravindra Jadeja: 309
Rohit’s Personal Milestones
Rohit Sharma also enters the series on the cusp of another milestone, needing just 98 runs to cross 20,000 international runs, joining Tendulkar, Dravid, and Kohli in this elite club. In the six-hitting department, Rohit is just three sixes shy of Shahid Afridi’s record of 351 ODI sixes and could become the first player to reach 650 international sixes if he clears eight more during the series.
ODI Series Schedule
1st ODI: November 30, Ranchi (JSCA International Stadium)
2nd ODI: December 3, Raipur (Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium)
3rd ODI: December 6, Visakhapatnam (Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium)
Team India ODI Squad
KL Rahul (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa ODI Squad
Temba Bavuma (Captain), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
Ranchi Pitch and Weather Update
The JSCA pitch is known for its slow pace and grip, offering limited high-scoring opportunities. The average first-innings total is around 235, and teams batting second have found more success, winning 5 of the 9 ODIs played here. Winter conditions are expected on match day with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 24°C, light clouds, and 9 km/h winds, with no rain predicted.
ODI Head-to-Head
India and South Africa have faced off 94 times in ODIs since 1991. South Africa leads with 51 wins, while India has won 40 matches, and three encounters ended without a result.
India will be eager to start their limited-overs campaign on a high, especially under the watchful guidance of KL Rahul, who will captain in place of the injured Shubman Gill. Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to shoulder the responsibility and lead from the front.
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