India bank on experienced duo as youngsters face scrutiny in high-stakes decider
Visakhapatnam
India enter today’s series decider against South Africa with expectations resting heavily on veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but the spotlight also extends to the younger group fighting to stabilise their spots. After back-to-back stumbles, including a shaky outing in Raipur, India are desperate to avoid another home series defeat. A win here would momentarily silence chatter around team cohesion, but for that, Rohit and Kohli—architects of countless rescue missions—must once again shoulder the pressure.
Their recent form inspires confidence: Kohli arrives with two centuries and a fifty in three innings, while Rohit’s last four outings include a hundred and two half-centuries. Yet India cannot rely solely on their senior pillars. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden ODI ton in Ranchi offered hope, but Yashasvi Jaiswal’s struggle against left-arm pace remains a concern. Dismissed 30 times across formats by left-armers, his repeated vulnerability outside off demands urgent correction, or the management may consider shuffling the opening combination.
The ACA-VDCA pitch typically aids batters, prompting India to consider strengthening the middle order. Washington Sundar may make way for Tilak Varma, who brings batting depth, part-time spin and sharp fielding. Dew, which favoured South Africa in the previous matches, remains unpredictable due to coastal humidity.
India also need cleaner execution from young pacers Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana, who must complement the in-form Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa, eyeing their first-ever ODI series win in India, will assess injuries to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi before finalising their XI.
Match starts at 1.30 pm.
FORM WATCH — INDIA (Last 5 ODIs)
- Kohli: 100, 112, 52
- Rohit: 105, 68, 54
- Gaikwad: 101, 32
INDIA AT VISAKHAPATNAM (ODIs)
- Played: 10
- Won: 7
- Lost: 3