India look to galvanise themselves in the ODI series as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will remain in the spotlight.
Tests lost, India look to feel at home as ODIs against South Africa begin.
The terrible impact that injuries have on a team’s performance is sometimes forgotten. After playing nonstop cricket for India’s newest three-format obsession, Shubman Gill’s neck injury in the Kolkata Test kept him out of action. As a result, India will play their third consecutive international match with a third different skipper. Shreyas Iyer, their ODI vice captain, is also sidelined due to a rib injury he received while making a catch in Australia.
For India, however, this structure remains the perfect sweet spot. Until the injured full-time captain and vice-captain, at least, this generation of players. India has dominated ODIs, winning the most recent Asia Cup and Champions Trophy and losing only the World Cup final.
They are cautious not to become comfortable, though, as they will be travelling to South Africa for the next World Cup. They will therefore always be thinking how to locate a seam-bowling all-rounder, how to handle workloads, and whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will still be available in late 2027. Additionally, teams play this format the least.
Although India’s opponents haven’t been nearly as dominant in ODIs lately, they will be riding high after defeating India 2-0 in the Tests. In order to supposedly maximise earnings, host teams now choose to split Tests and shorter forms, making this an unusual complete tour. All-format tours do, however, have a certain allure.
With the exception of Kagiso Rabada’s injury-related absence, South Africa is now closer to full strength. Their batting could gain weight with the return of Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, while Keshav Maharaj should give them the spin control they lacked in Pakistan.
These three ODIs will be rapidly forgotten because T20Is are now receiving more attention, but they should be exciting matches while they endure.