Ahead of the first One-Day-International
(ODI) between South Africa and India at Boland Park, Paarl, former India
cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said veteran opener Shikhar
Dhawan and experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are unlikely to play the
first match of a three-match series.

Also Read: South Africa rest pacer Kagiso Rabada for ODI series vs India

While picking India’s probable XI for the
first ODI for ESPNCricinfo, Mankjrekar preferred youngsters over veteran
cricketers. He picked all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who is yet to make his ODI
debut, as an opener.

“My main obsession was fitting that
sixth bowling option. Hence, Venkatesh Iyer comes into the plan. Shikhar Dhawan
can be rested for this match,” Manjrekar said.

Also Read: Virat Kohli the batter in focus as India take on SA in 3-match ODI series

The first ODI will be KL Rahul’s litmus
test before BCCI and the selection committee choose India’s next Test captain.
Rahul has been named India’s captain for the ODI series against South Africa as
Rohit Sharma is missing the series due to a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, the ODI series opener will be
former captain Virat Kohli’s first match under a new captain in five years. Kohli was in charge of the team since 2017, but since he was removed from the captaincy
now he will have to play under a young captain. Kohli last week also resigned
from Test captaincy after India lost the three-match Test series against South
Africa 2-1 conceding a 1-0 lead.

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South Africa bounced back in Johannesburg
to level the series and then in Cape Town handed India back to back defeats to
clinch the series. South Africa’s win means India lost a chance of winning
their maiden series in the country.

Manjrekar, meanwhile, picked Suryakumar
Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant as his middle-order. The pace department
is comprised of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar and Jasprit Bumrah. Yuzvendra
Chahal and Jayant Yadav are his spinners.

Also Read: 1st ODI: Focus on Kohli as batter aims to surpass Dravid, join Ganguly

Manjrekar’s possible playing XI: Venkatesh
Iyer, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant,
Jayant Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah