(Cricket news) The Indian side will be waiting to take the lead in the ODI series in the tour of South Africa. The Proteas denied history to India in the Test series a few days earlier but in the 50 over format things may look different. The men in blue obviously are bringing in a lot of experience when both the sides meet in the first ODI which will be held tomorrow at Boland Park. Here are the top four players to watch out for in the three match series.
Virat Kohli
The right hander will be the most experienced player from both the sides and played well in the Test series. Although many questions have been raised about the captaincy issue, his performance should matter in the series as the team needs it. He will again try to bring in some stability in the batting order just like he did in previous matches and has experience playing Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
Janneman Malan
Malan was the leading run scorer for the proteas last season, he scored over 500 runs in 7 innings with 2 centuries and half centuries. The right hander has been in form and has played 11 matches so far. Malan can make an impact on the team which needs consistent players especially in the 50 over format and needs to get on the attack along with the pacers.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
One of the top swing bowlers on the side, Kumar will need to get the ball to move in a pitch where the highest target chased is 250. It is a bowler friendly pitch, although he played only 5 matches last year he restricted the run scoring especially against England at Pune. He will be needed especially during the overs where he has proven to bowl down a couple of perfect yorkers, swing and not speed is the enemy.
Kagiso Rabada
Rabada has been the go to pacer for the team in all three formats. The 26 year old has the talent to outsmart the batters and will need to strike early. The last time he played against India, the pacer only gave away 39 runs in 10 overs while taking two wickets. Rabada will take full control of the home conditions and will need to provide a breakthrough for batters to collapse like in the Test series.
