India vs South Africa, 1st ODI, South Africa tour of India, 2025

India’s hope for a winning start after Test series disaster   

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Indians have odds of 1.78 for the highest first-wicket partnership  
• South Africans have odds of 1.96  for the highest first-wicket partnership  
• The odds of the first boundary being a four are 1.05 
• The odds of the first boundary being a six are 7.40  

MATCH PREVIEW     

The two-match Test series is done and dusted, and now we move over to the ODI format. The Indians will face the heat heading into the 1st ODI after suffering a whitewash in the Test series against South Africa. The Indians have done well in this format over the last 12 months, with eight wins in their last 10 games. Their batting lineup is formidable, and the team will start this game with the odds in their favor. The South Africans won’t hand the game on a platter to the Indians, especially after the boost in confidence with a win in the test series. With both teams eager for a good start in this series, we expect this game to go down to the wire.  

India Preview     

KL Rahul will lead the team in the absence of injured Shubman Gill. The hosts will be under pressure after their disastrous performance in the Test series, during which Indian cricket hit new lows with record defeats. They have a good record against the South Africans in ODIs, with five wins in the last six games between the two teams. They will start ahead on cricket betting sites. Rahul would like a clinical show from his players in their bid to set the tone for the rest of the series.  

Rohit Sharma showed great form in the last series against Australia, and he will look to deliver a good start with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Virat Kohli must steer the innings in the middle order and add runs with Tilak Varma and KL Rahul. The side has depth in the batting and shall expect quick runs from Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Ranga, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.  

The bowling attack will be under pressure as the South Africans have done well in recent games. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh must strike early to put the team in a strong position. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav must weave a web for the South Africans in the middle overs. The team expects a strong show from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar in the supporting roles.  

Expected Starting XI for India     

KL Rahul (c & wk), Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav 

South Africa Preview     

Temba Bavuma returns to the ODI team as skipper, and he will be confident heading into this game. The team performed brilliantly in the Test series and shall look to carry the same energy in the ODIs. They have lost the last three ODI games they have played against India in India and shall start behind on cricket betting apps. Bavuma would like a strong show from his players to take an early lead.  

Ryan Rickelton will look to deliver a good start with Quinton de Kock, as the Indians have an inexperienced pace attack. Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, and Temba Bavuma make the middle order formidable and must build partnerships. Matthew Breetzke is a good finisher, and he will look to add quick runs in the lower middle order with Marco Jansen.  

The bowling attack will be under pressure as the Indians have firepower in their batting. Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger will look to strike early in the contest. Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen must bowl tight spells in the middle overs. Keshav Maharaj will look to make the most of the conditions and do well with Aiden Markram in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for South Africa     

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj  

TOSS: To Bat First      

It is a good venue to set up a total. The conditions are good for batting at the start of the game, and the wicket slows down in the second half. Both captains will take a cue from the past results and look to bat first on winning the toss.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect clear skies over Ranchi and a good batting surface. The ball will come onto the bat easily, allowing batters to play their strokes. There won’t be much for the fast bowlers, but the spinners will have a good time. The team batting first will need more than 300 on the board to feel safe.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The South Africans will be confident after dominating the Indians in the Test series. However, the team has struggled with the bat on Indian tracks. They need a good show from the top order and their fast-bowling attack to win this game. The Indians have a formidable batting lineup going into this game. They have done well at home in recent years. It will be a close contest, but the Indians have the edge.  

Our prediction is for India to win