India vs South Africa 2022: Predicted ODI Squad for Team India

Team India to name a String B side as we look at the best predicted squad players list for Team India for the 2022 ODI series vs South Africa.

The Asia Cup 2022 campaign for Team India may not have gone as expected, but the upcoming home series vs Australia and South Africa promises to be a great competitive affair. While India begin the two home series with the T20I series against Australia, it will be followed by the T20I and ODI series vs South Africa. 

Undoubtedly, India will be naming a full-strength squad for the T20I series vs Australia and South Africa as a preparation for the T20 World Cup 2022. But how about the ODI series vs South Africa, which will be the last one to be played? The South Africa ODI series shall be played just a week before the T20 World Cup from October 6 to October 11, 2022.

So, will Team India play a full-strength squad for the ODI series vs South Africa? Or they will settle for a side similar to the one that played against West Indies and Zimbabwe? Well, let’s find out in this article as we look at the best predicted squad list for the 2022 ODI series vs South Africa.

Will Key Players be Rested?

Well, this shall be the biggest question that Team India shall face when they name the squad for the ODI series vs South Africa. Ideally, if India name a full-strength squad for the ODI series vs South Africa, they shall only get a gap of 6 days to arrive in Australia and also play a warm-up game vs Australia on 17th October.

With injury concerns looming, It looks highly unlikely India would risk playing their key players for a not-so-important ODI series, just a week before T20 World Cup 2022. So, expect the members who are in contention to feature in the T20 World Cup 2022 squad to be rested for the South Africa ODI series. This also gives a good challenge for a String B side that India shall feature.

Who will Lead Team India?

In the absence of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan was given the responsibility to lead Team India in the West Indies ODI series. With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul expected to be rested, Shikhar Dhawan should once again lead the squad. Shreyas Iyer, who might not feature in the final 15 of the T20 World Cup 2022 squad, should be the vice Captain of the squad. 

Selection Dilemmas 

The biggest dilemma for Team India would be the selection of all-rounders. With Ravindra Jadeja injured, and his like-for-like replacement Axar Patel expected to feature in the T20 World Cup 2022 squad, India does not have many all-rounders available in the ranks. So, looking at the available options, Shahbaz Ahmed and Venkatesh Iyer seem to be the best available options.

Shahbaz Ahmed was recently named as a replacement for injured Washington Sundar. With Sundar not expected to gain full fitness, Shahbaz Ahmed should retain his place in the squad. Meanwhile, India doesn’t have a good bench strength for all-rounders. So, with Hardik, Hooda, and Axar busy in T20 World Cup, Venkatesh Iyer seems to be the best available all-rounder. 

Meanwhile, Team India should repeat the same set of batters that played against Zimbabwe recently. So, In addition to Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, expect the likes of Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan to also feature in the squad. 

The bowling selection shall be an interesting one for Team India. Mohammed Shami should definitely make a comeback after being given rest for the Zimbabwe and West Indies ODI series. Apart from him, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj should retain their spot. Avesh Khan may also get a go if India don’t select 2 spinners. 

The spin bowling selection could be interesting too. In the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav should lead the spin duties for the ODI series. Apart from him, the second spinner spot should most-likely belong to Rahul Chahar. He was recently picked for India A series vs New Zealand A, and looks to be in contention.  

India vs South Africa 2022: Predicted ODI Series Squad Players List for Team India

Batters: Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer & Shubman Gill 

Wks: Ishan Kishan & Sanju Samson

All-rounders: Shahbaz Ahmed & Venkatesh Iyer 

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Chahar & Shardul Thakur 

Coach: VVS Laxman // Captain: Shikhar Dhawan 

So, that’s about the best predicted squad for Team India for the 2022 ODI series vs South Africa. If India decide to rest only their senior players, young players like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Hooda, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel could be selected.

India vs South Africa 2022: Official ODI Series Squad for South Africa

Batters: David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossow, Temba Bavuma & Tristan Stubbs 

Wks: Heinrich Klassen & Quinton de Kock 

All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Andile Phelukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius & Marco Jansen 

Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi & Wayne Parnell 

Coach: Mark Boucher // Captain: Temba Bavuma

India vs South Africa 2022: Official ODI Series Schedule

• 1st ODI – Oct 6 @ Lucknow 
• 2nd ODI – Oct 9 @ Ranchi
• 3rd ODI – Oct 11 @ Delhi 

Thanks for reading! What’s your squad for Team India for the 2022 ODI series vs South Africa? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.