The Indian cricket team is under a lot of pressure as they prepare for a three match ODI series at home against South Africa. India are the number 2 team based on the ODI ICC rankings and are also the betting favourites with odds of 1.41.
Even though they are the betting favourites and are playing at home, the men in blue will be under a lot of pressure to start the series with a win. This is because India have had a forgettable tour of New Zealand in February which resulted in them losing the ODI series 0-3 to the Kiwis followed by another 0-2 test series whitewash against New Zealand.
India needs to get back to their winnings ways as soon as possible. The first ODI starts on 12 March in Dharamsala and a loss in the first game will make it 4 losses in a row and put enormous pressure on captain Virat Kohli and his team. The best way for India to shake off the pressure is to come out with a convincing win and then wrap up the series with another win in the second ODI which is scheduled to take place at Lucknow on March 15.
The South Africans go in with odds of 2.82 in the first ODI but they will be brimming with confidence as they just whitewashed Australia at home. The Proteas played 3 ODI games against the Aussies and won 3-0. South Africa look a lot more settled now under new head coach Mark Boucher and captain Quinton de Kock.
They have named a squad of 15 to tour India which has a balance of experienced players and some young and very talented players who are looking to find a permanent spot in the South African squad.
India are also fielding a strong squad as they are bringing back a number of their experienced players who have passed a fitness test after being out for some time due to injury. The players that are making their return include opener Shikhar Dhawan, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
All three of these players are capable of winning a game on their own. The big question is whether they will be in good form for the three ODI’s after being out of the game for so long! We will have to wait and see whether India can turn things around or dig another hole for themselves!
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