IND vs SA: The cricketing realm is buzzing with excitement, as preparations for the ODI World Cup 2023 are in full swing. Here’s a glimpse into what’s been transpiring and what we can anticipate from the Indian cricket team.

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Team India’s Impressive Start to the ODI World Cup 2023

With the honor of hosting the ODI World Cup 2023, Team India has shown its mettle in the early stages of the tournament. Having notched up victories against formidable opponents like Australia and Bangladesh, the Indian contingent, under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, is hopeful of capturing the coveted title this year.

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A Packed Schedule Post World Cup

IND vs SA: Post the World Cup, the Indian cricket itinerary remains jam-packed. There’s a 5-match T20 series against the Aussies waiting in the wings. Following this, the Men in Blue will embark on a South African tour, comprising a 3-match T20 series, an equal number of ODIs, and a climactic 2-match Test series.

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Leadership Changes on the Horizon?

Whispers in the corridors suggest that the Test series against South Africa might see the prolific Rohit Sharma taking a breather. In such an event, the mantle of captaincy could gracefully shift to the seasoned batsman, Ajinkya Rahane, a choice that reflects the selectors’ trust in his leadership abilities.

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A Mix of Experience and Youth in the Upcoming Test Series

IND vs SA: The squad for the South African Test series is on the verge of being announced. Indications are that alongside the stalwarts, fresh faces might be seen donning the Indian jersey. Young talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Verma, and Rinku Singh are strongly tipped to make the cut.

Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane

KL Rahul’s Anticipated Return to the Test Arena

With his current stint in the ODI World Cup 2023, KL Rahul’s prowess cannot be overlooked. There’s a growing sentiment that he could be reintroduced in the Test squad for the series against the Proteas, marking his return to the longer format.

Projected Indian Test Squad against South Africa

The tentative line-up for the Indian team for the Test series could be:

Openers: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal
Middle-order: Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Ajinkya Rahane (likely captain), KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj

IND vs SA: With such a blend of experience and young blood, the upcoming Test series promises to be a thrilling encounter. The inclusion of Virat Kohli’s close friend, KL Rahul, further adds to the intrigue of the series. Fans across the globe are eagerly waiting to see how the team fares on South African soil.

Image Credit – indiatoday