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India vs South Africa: First ODI Match Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips

Match: India vs South Africa, 1st ODI 

Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

Date and time: March 12, 2020, at 1.30 PM IST

The first ODI of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa will be played on Thursday at the beautiful stadium at Dharamsala, Himachal. Fans can also be a part of the exciting encounter by downloading fantasy cricket app, Howzat, which allows them to win huge cash prizes by playing fantasy cricket game. Go to the new fantasy cricket site or the top fantasy cricket app, join a fantasy cricket league and enjoy cricket gaming and winning cash! 

Read on to stay updated on the game and learn fantasy cricket tips to win big in the match.    

India vs South Africa 

Preview: Both India and South Africa will enter the three-match series after contrasting results in their last series. The home team India will head into the game on the back of a whitewash in New Zealand, while the Proteas defeated the mighty Australians 3-0 at home just a few days ago. However, the Men in Blue are tough to beat in India, and the South Africans will have a big challenge. India will play a full-strength squad, with players like S Dhawan, H Pandya and B Kumar returning from injury. South Africa, on the other hand, are doing wonders under the leadership of Q de Kock. D Miller and Janneman M are in fine form, while the return of F d Plessis further strengthens the side. 

Toss: The wicket at Dharamsala has always been a batting paradise, which means that the side that wins the toss would be looking to field first. A considerable amount of dew will be present in the second innings, which will further make batting easier as the match progresses. 

Weather and pitch conditions: A cold day with a maximum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius is on the cards. The track here always offers good assistance to the bowlers, and the long boundaries on offer will ensure that there is a good balance and contest between the bat and the ball. 

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India: Probable Playing 11 and Key Players 

Probable playing 11: S Dhawan, P Shaw, V Kohli, S Iyer, L Rahul (wk), H Pandya, R Jadeja, N Saini, B Kumar, J Bumrah, Y Chahal

Key players: V Kohli had a forgettable New Zealand tour, but will be eager to get back to form ahead of the Indian T20 league. He is a champion player, who will be looking to raise his game as he sets out to win the series after the mauling against the Black Caps. The same goes for J Bumrah. The bowler too was off-colour in New Zealand on pitches that assist his bowling style. However, he showed what he is capable of by bowling stump-to-stump in the second Test, and will be looking forward to outsmarting the batsmen yet again. H Pandya has returned from injury after a long period of seven months, and all eyes will be on the all-rounder. He smashed two hundred in a domestic T20 tournament recently to announce his return in style. 

South Africa: Probable Playing 11 and Key Players

Probable 11: Q de Kock, Janneman M, F d Plessis, Temba Bavuma, D Miller, H Klaasen, JJ Smuts, A Phehlukwayo, L Ngidi, A Nortje, K Maharaj

Key players: Youngster Janneman M stood up and left his mark in the recent ODI series against Australia, scoring 152 runs in three innings with a hundred. He was accompanied by D Miller in the middle order, who played important cameos and batted with a strike rate of 100 throughout the series. He ended with 104 runs and a fifty to his name. L Ngidi was the star bowler for the South Africans. He picked up 9 wickets in just two matches, with the best figures of 6 for 58. The wicket at Dharamsala will assist his bowling style, which makes L Ngidi a must-pick in the Howzat fantasy cricket team. 

Suggested Howzat Dream Team 

INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA Dream Team

Wicket-keeper: Two wicket-keepers, Q de Kock (10 credits) and L Rahul (9.5 credits) have been picked in the dream team of the Howzat fantasy cricket app. The skipper of South Africa is one of the most aggressive and dangerous players on his day and he will be eager to score runs after a dismal ODI series against the Australians. The Indian wicket-keeper L Rahul is in the midst of a purple patch. He scored 88*, 4 and 112 in the three ODIs against New Zealand and will be the key at the top in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is out because of injury.

Batsmen: V Kohli (10.5 credits) is expensive but is one of the best batsmen in the world and it is only time before he gets back to roaring form. S Iyer (9 credits) has found his groove batting at number 4 and has played match-winning knocks for the Men in Blue in the recent past. D Miller (8.5 credits) and Janneman M (8 credits) were in top form against the Aussies and will hope to carry that run forward. 

All-rounders: H Pandya (9.5 credits) is a match-winner in both departments and his absence was felt as Team India struggled to find an able all-rounder when he was out injured. He has been a top player for Team India and his ability to consistently perform makes him a crucial player. R Jadeja (8.5 credits) is a budget pick. He completes his overs quickly, earn points with his fielding and has the skills to smash the ball out of the park as well. 

Bowlers: J Bumrah (9 credits) has been the team’s go-to bowler in the last few years and will be expected to come good in helpful conditions. The South African fast bowling duo of L Ngidi (9 credits) and A Nortje (8.5 credits) will get the more help from the wicket here than they will get anywhere else in India, and they will be excited to utilize that and give their best. 

Captain and Vice-Captain: L Rahul and Q de Kock

NOTE: The suggested Howzat dream team is just a suggestion. You can select your own fantasy cricket team by using your knowledge of cricket. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual Playing 11 is announced by each team (15 to 30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the playing 11. 

                Select your own team and play fantasy cricket!