IND vs SA: India’s predicted playing XI for 2nd ODI

India suffered a narrow loss against South Africa in the series opener in Lucknow as Sanju Samson's heroics with the bat went in vain. The Indian team were set a daunting target of 250 runs after the game was reduced to 40 overs per side due to persistent rain.

David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen exposed the Indian bowling with an unbeaten 139-run stand to give South Africa the momentum heading into the second innings. The visitors were on top of proceeding after four early wickets, but Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, and Shardul Thakur combined to give them an almighty scare. 

Let’s look at India’s probable playing XI for the 2nd ODI against South Africa:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan (c) and Shubman Gill

Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan once again got the responsibility of leading a young Indian side in the absence of the regular first-team players. The Southpaw failed to impress in the series opener but will be eyeing a comeback in the second ODI in Ranchi.

Dhawan's young opening partner Shubhman Gill met with a rare failure in the first ODI against South Africa. The stylish opener has been in scintillating form since the turn of the year and will hope it was just a minor blip and nothing more.

Middle-order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (wk)

Ruturaj Gaikwad won't be looking at the first ODI with fond memories as the batter struggled for fluency throughout his stay at the crease in front of a menacing Protean bowling attack. His sluggish start after a couple of early wickets handed South Africa the initiative in a must-win game for the visitors.

Gaikwad's struggles were a couple with his strike partner Ishan Kishan's woeful stay at the crease. The southpaw tried to play some positive shots but eventually met a tame end. A designated opener for his franchise, Kishan will have to accommodate himself into the middle order.

While most of the India batters struggled at a tricky surface in Lucknow, Shreyas Iyer came out all guns blazing. The flamboyant stroke-maker compiled a brisk half-century to give India a fighting chance in a stiff run chase after losing four wickets early in their innings.

Sanju Samson dropped anchor from one end when Iyer was taking the South African bowlers to the cleaners. But he opened his shoulders after the former's departure and took India inches close to the target from an improbable position. Even South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma lauded Samson's incredible innings that pushed them all the way in a tense finale.

All-rounder: Shardul Thakur

The returning Shardul Thakur had a memorable game for the Blues as he not only the pick of the Indian bowlers in a rain-curtailed series opener in Lucknow, but also played a handy inning with the bat. It was his incredible 93-run partnership with Sanju Samson that threatened the South African target.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Siraj

Another Indian bowler who had a memorable outing was Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm spinner had the Protean batters on toast for the entirety of the game and was unlucky to pick just one wicket in the match. But that solitary wicket made the fans jump out of their seats as he cleaned Aiden Markram with a dream delivery. His comeback to the Indian team is truly underway.

Avesh Khan's miserable white ball outings for the Indian team continued in the first ODI against Temba Bavuma's side. But it wasn't all his fault as India's awful fielding cost him at least two wickets in the match. He would hope for some good fortune in the upcoming fixture.

One Indian player who would be eyeing a quick turnaround is Ravi Bishnoi. The young leggie hemorrhaged runs at an alarming rate on a surface that was assisting the slower blowers. Bishnoi conceded 69 runs in his eight overs with just one wicket to his name. 

Mohammed Siraj, who is in contention for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad after the injury to fast bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah had an off day in the field for the hosts. It wasn't the first time either as he came under scrutiny for his lackluster fielding in the last T20I against South Africa. He will need to pull up his socks if he wishes to fly to Australia for the ICC event.

India’s predicted XI for the second ODI: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk),  Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Siraj