(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
South Africa vs India 5th ODI: Probable XI
12 Feb 2018
After humiliating back to back defeats in the first three ODIs, South Africa bounced back in the 4th ODI at Johannesburg to keep the series against India alive.
India will be eyeing to wrap up their first series triumph on South African soil when they take the field at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
Here is our probable XI for the 5th ODI.
Rohit Sharma needs to banish his demons
Footwork the cause?
Despite India being 3-1 up, all is not well with the men in blue.
Rohit Sharma's form seems to be a major concern, as the Indian vice-captain just can't get off to a start.
In the last four innings, Rohit has managed just 40 runs with 20 being his top score.
India would expect Rohit to give a good start in 4th ODI.
Should India drop Hardik Pandya?
Over-rated?
Not just Rohit, Hardik Pandya's form also seems to be of concern.
Pandya's hasn't performed with the bat ever since his 93 in the first innings of the first Test.
He finished the Test series with 119 runs and has 26 runs in the ODI series.
He has been poor with the ball as well, with just a wicket in the first 4 ODIs.
Kedar Jadhav a big miss in the 4th ODI
Fitness woes
The absence of Kedar Jadhav in the 4th ODI cost India
With the Indian bowlers being pummeled all over the park, Kohli was out of bowling options and Kedar Jadhav would have been the ideal man to bowl those crucial overs.
With one more victory needed to seal the series, Jadhav (if fit) should be back in the XI for the 5th ODI.
India sweating over Kedar Jadhav's fitness
India XI
There are still doubts over Kedar Jadhav's fitness after his hamstring injury ahead of the 4th ODI.
If Jadhav is ready to go, Shreyas Iyer is expected to sit this one out.
Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal & Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa are desperate to keep the series alive
South Africa XI
South Africa will look to continue their winning momentum and with no new injuries reported so far, the hosts are unlikely to make any changes to their line-up.
Playing XI: Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Morne Morkel.
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