India v South Africa Seond ODI Tips: Can Kohli and Rohit dominate again?

• India 1-0 up after thriller in Ranchi

• Raipur pitch an unknown
• Probable that batters hold sway

• SA have guts to make it a choice affair

• Burger still has win rate on side

India v South Africa
Wednesday 3 November, 08.00
TV: Live on TNT

India v South Africa second ODI team news

India were reliant on the old guard with the bat to take a 1-0 lead. Rohit Sharma, still lethal in this format, notched a half-century and then Virat Kohli produced a masterful 135.

Kohli's innings was that of a young thruster with seven sixes. KL Rahul steadied things in the middle overs before a nice flourish at the death from Ravindra Jadeja.  A target of 350 looked ominous but they were indebted to four wickets from Kuldeep Yadav as they got a sweat on.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was a surprise pick in the middle order. After a failure he may come under pressure from Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy. With such depth of batting talent a player must ake his chance when he gets it. Praish Krishna was a surprise pick and they could add all-round depth with Tilak or Reddy other options in his place.

Possible India XI: Jaiswal, Rohit, Kohli, Gaikwad, Rahul, Sundar, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Harshit, Arshdeep, Prasidh

South Africa were spirited in defeat in Ranchi. There was a time when it looked like Matt Breetzke and Marco Jansen were going to pull off a hesit after South Africa had been reduced to 130 for five.

Breetzke and Jansen put on 197 for the fourth wicket in a stunning counterattack, Breetzke striking at 90 and Jansen 179. When both fell within the space of two balls the game looked up. But Corbin Bosch kept hitting. They eventually fell short by just 17. 

Having stacked the team with batting South Africa did look unbalanced in the field with only five bowlers used. Keshav Maharaj, fitness permitting must come under consideration. But that could mean dropping another batter with Temba Bavuma, the skip  omitted due to illness. He should slot back in for Ryan Rickleton.

Another option is dropping one pacer from Nandre Burger or Ottneil Baartman to make room for Maharaj.

Possible South Africa XI: De Kock, Markram, Bavuma, De Zorzi, Breetzke, Brevis, Bosch, Jansen, Subrayen, Burger/Maharaj/Baartman

India v South Africa second ODI pitch report

Unhelpfully there has been only one ODI at Raipur. That was in January 2023 when New Zealand were destroyed batting first for just 108. It was largely seam and swin medium pace which did the damage but we wouldn't suggest betting on something similar. Indeed, the locals reckon it was an aberration.

The best advice is to wait for the pitch report. We're looking for something with a sheen if this is going to be one for runmaking. Sportsbook's  both teams for 275 is a pure gamble at 13/102.30 at this early stage. They go 3/14.00 for both 300. 

India v South Africa second ODI match prediction

South Africa need to win in Raipur to square the three-match series. They are 3.1085/40 to do so. Given the the potential for more balance and admirable guts, it is hard not to reckon that the best option here is a trade.

They have shown good batting depth and the ability to take on the India bowlers. Maharaj, meanwhile, should add much-needed control. In an ideal world they bat first, making it simpler to get their odds down. 

If this is a good wicket we would expect South Africa to bat well and get a score close to more than 300. A good start with the ball may also be required to make this a choice affair.  For those not of a trading disposition the 10/111.91 that South Africa's aggression yields an over of more than 15.5 has appeal. 

India v South Africa second ODI player bets

The win rates to keep faith with come in the form of Rohit Sharma and Nandre Burger. Rohit went into game one with an incredible win rate, copping in line with an evens chance in the previous 14. A fifty shows he is in touch and he is one who can put back-to-back scores together. Sportsbook go 7/24.50. Kohli is 3s. Burger has five wins from 13 and should really have copped in Ranchi, pipped by five on runs conceded by Baartman. Sportsbook go 3/14.00.  

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