New Delhi: Shikhar Dhawan-led team India made a great comeback against South Africa to level the three-match ODI series 1-1 after losing the series opener. The Men in Blue will now play the third and final ODI at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. After losing the first match by a narrow margin, a second-string Indian team registered a seven-wicket win. The Indian team management, however, will be a little worried about the performance of the opening pair of skipper Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill.
Both openers have struggled to score runs in this series so far. Dhawan, one of the Indian batsmen to have consistently performed well in ODIs, has scored only 17 runs in the series so far. Ahead of next year's ODI World Cup, the veteran will try to give the team a better start in the deciding match at New Delhi. The Indian middle-order, however, looks strong with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Sanju Samson on board. While Iyer and Samson have shown consistency in their performances, Kishan seems to be in fine form as well.
Mohammad Siraj emerged as star bowler for India in 2nd ODI and has made a strong claim to replace injured Jasprit Bumrah in India's T20 World Cup squad. Spinners Shahbaz Ahmed and Ravi Bishnoi also bowled well on their debut.
Ind vs SA 3rd ODI Probable XI
India probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa probable XI: Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj (C), Kagiso Rabada, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje
Ind vs SA 3rd ODI Weather Report
The national capital region has been receiving heavy rains for the last three days and there is a possibility of rain on Tuesday as well. On Monday, a day before the match, it rained in some areas of Delhi. Earlier on Sunday and Saturday also the weather of Delhi was similar.
Ind vs SA 3rd ODI Pitch Report
The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium will give advantage to spinners, especially in the second innings as it has a slow surface. The boundaries there are small but batters find it tough to score runs and middle the ball due to uneven bounce.