Rohit Sharma, left, and Virat Kohli greet each other between the wickets during the first cricket match of the ODI series between India and South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, Jharkhand. (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: India go into the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on Wednesday with a mixture of confidence and questions. Confidence as Virat Kohli’s impressive 52nd ODI century and Rohit Sharma’s blistering 57 paved the way for a 17-run victory in the series opener in Ranchi. Questions as there are whispers of disagreements with head coach Gautam Gambhir off the field.Kohli and Rohit are not just playing to win games, they are also auditioning for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be in South Africa in two years. After two back-to-back wins for India in the last as many ODIs – including a nine-wicket thrashing of Australia in Sydney in October – Kohli and Rohit have shown they will do whatever it takes to be on that flight for the World Cup in South Africa. Both chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and Gambhir have remained non-committal about their participation in the World Cup, which appears to be at the center of simmering tensions.
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On the field, India’s combination still looks shaky. Ruturaj Gaikwad, a consistent List A cricketer, was moved from the opening slot to No. 4. He did not look entirely comfortable while stand-in captain KL Rahul held firm at No. 6. Washington Sundar, who saw plenty of experimentation with the bat, batted at No. 5 and fell during a slow phase for India. He bowled only three overs in 18 runs.Harshit Rana took two early wickets with the use of the new ball, but got a run out in the second phase. The ICC rule allowing only one ball to continue from the 34th over adds another layer of challenge for bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav’s variations won crucial wickets for India, finishing with 4/68, making the difference in a match that South Africa almost stole.Speaking of South Africa, they showed resilience after being reduced to 11/3. Marco Jansen stormed into the Indian attack for 70 off 39 balls while Matthew Breetzke scored 72 in his first ODI against India. Their tail, led by Corbin Bosch, made India sweat before finally settling down.The Proteas were without regular captain Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, rested after their historic Test series win. Their return is expected in Raipur.Raipur itself is off the beaten path for India. In the only ODI previously played here, India dismantled New Zealand for 108 in January 2023, winning by eight wickets. In the only T20I here, against Australia in December 2023, India scored 174/9 to win by 20 runs.
