Wasim Jaffer Unveils His Indian XI For The ODIs Against South Africa; Leaves Out Venkatesh Iyer

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The ODI series between South Africa and India is set to start from January 17th, 2022 (Wednesday). As we finally approach an ODI series featuring India after so long, Wasim Jaffer has named his Indian XI that according to him would take the field against South Africa in the first ODI at Boland Park. 

The former Indian cricketer has named captain KL Rahul and the returning southpaw Shikhar Dhawan as openers. KL Rahul is also the stand-in captain of the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma who was handed the captaincy after captain Virat Kohli was sacked in December. Shikhar Dhawan on the other hand is making his return to the national side after a long time. Dhawan has amassed 335 runs in 8 ODI innings in South Africa, averaging 47.85 and striking at 103.07 with a ton and two fifties.

On the number 3 position, Jaffer has named former captain Virat Kohli who is an obvious choice. On his last tour to South Africa, Virat Kohli became the first player to record 500+ runs in a bilateral series. 'King Kohli' accumulated a record 558 runs in 6 matches, with 3 tons to his name and averaging 186.00, his highest score being 160* at Cape Town. 

On #4 Jaffer has named Shreyas Iyer who has made the most of the limited opportunities he has received post his injuries in IPL 2020, regardless of the format. At #5 again is an obvious choice in the form of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Jaffer has not considered Ishan Kishan and it is expected that the management would do the same unless they are in a comfortable position in the series and are looking to experiment. 

At number 6 is Surya Kumar Yadav who is itching to get on the field for team India and show the world what he's capable of as he has already done for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Shardul Thakur is at #7 and this is where Venkatesh Iyer could've come in, with seemingly better batting capabilities and potential to be the sixth bowler. Number 8 is Ravichandran Ashwin who also made his comeback to the smaller formats of the game with the T20 World Cup 2021. 

At number 9, Wasim Jaffer is left with a choice between Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Mohammad Siraj, and it's up to the management whether they'll go with experience or form. Number 10 is leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who would also be looking to make his comeback, and number 11 is finally the team's vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, whose career rocketed after India's previous tour of South Africa. 

My Indian team for first ODI:

1. KL (C)
2. Shikhar
3. Virat
4. S Iyer
5. Pant (WK)
6. Surya
7. Shardul
8. Ashwin
9. Bhuvi / Siraj
10. Chahal
11. Bumrah

What's yours? #SAvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 18, 2022

South Africa will take on India in the first ODI at Boland Park, Paarl. South Africa already have won the test series by 2-1 after losing the first test and then made a strong comeback. India would look to win the ODI series and take at least one trophy home.