India and South Africa are set to face off in the second ODI of their three-match series today at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in New Raipur, Chhattisgarh. India leads the series 1-0 after a thrilling 17-run victory in the first ODI in Ranchi. A win today would secure the series for the Men in Blue.
All eyes will be on the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as India aims to clinch the series. In the first ODI, Kohli's masterful century, his 52nd in ODIs, set the foundation for India's imposing total of 349. He was eventually dismissed after scoring 135 runs. Rohit Sharma contributed a valuable 57 runs in the previous match and will be aiming for a bigger score in Raipur.
Kohli has played 306 ODI matches, scoring 14,390 runs at an average of 58, including 52 centuries and 75 half-centuries. Sharma has played 277 ODI matches, scoring 11,427 runs with an average of 49, including 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries. However, Sharma's ODI record against South Africa is less impressive, with an average of around 34 compared to his overall career average. In 26 ODIs against South Africa, he has scored 806 runs, including 3 centuries.
KL Rahul is leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Shubman Gill, who is recovering from a neck injury. Rahul's captaincy record in ODIs stands at 8 wins and 4 losses in 12 matches. He has also led India to series victories against Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. As a batter while captaining, Rahul averages 33.55 in 10 innings, including four half-centuries. Besides his captaincy, Rahul contributed a valuable half-century in the first ODI.
South Africa will be eager to bounce back after the loss in the first ODI. In the previous game, the Proteas' top order faltered, but the middle and lower order fought valiantly. Marco Jansen's quickfire 70 off 39 balls and Corbin Bosch's 67 off 51 kept South Africa in the hunt, but they eventually fell short. South Africa will also welcome back Temba Bavuma into the mix.
The toss is scheduled to take place at 1 PM IST. India will be looking to continue their momentum and seal the series, while South Africa will be aiming to level the score and force a series decider.
