SA vs IND: 3 Changes India should make in 2nd ODI

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa scored 296 runs in their quota of 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli looked solid and threatened to take the game away from the Proteas in the chase. However, despite having complete control of the game during the first half of the innings, a batting collapse led to India losing the first of the three-ODI series by 31 runs. Thus, with the series at stake, the visitors need to win the second ODI.

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However, it isn't going to be easy as South Africa are high on confidence and look like a formidable side right now. So the only way the Rahul-led side can level the series in the next game is by removing the players who under-performed on Wednesday. Owing to India's strong bench strength, several players deserve to feature in the side's playing XI.

Today, we shall be taking a look at 3 changes India should make in the 2nd ODI against SA.

1) IN - Deepak Chahar; OUT - Bhuvneshwar Kumar

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been mediocre in the 50-over format for quite a while now. Besides, he went wicketless in the first ODI in Paarl and looked ordinary. Thus, as Deepak Chahar can get the ball to swing just like him, he could replace Kumar in the XI.

Moreover, the 29-year-old can bat as well which he proved on Sri Lanka tour last year and thus, he can provide further batting depth.

2) IN - Suryakumar Yadav; OUT - Venkatesh Iyer

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While Venkatesh Iyer was expected to play the role of an all-rounder, he didn't bowl a single over in the opening one-dayer. The fact that he was dismissed for one doesn't help his cause either.

On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has been superb in the last 12-15 months, and was decent in the ODI series against Sri Lanka last year as well. The Mumbai batter has a superb temperament too which will help India in a must-win game.

3) IN- Ruturaj Gaikwad; OUT- Shreyas Iyer

Although Shreyas Iyer has been impressive more often than not, making him bat at five doesn't make any sense as he's an anchor, and not a finisher. On the other hand, KL Rahul has been batting at 5 in ODIs since 2020 and has been fairly successful, to say the least.

Thus, the Indian skipper can demote himself to five, and replace Iyer with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who can then open the innings. The Maharashtra opener has been absolutely brilliant of late. Thus, as Gaikwad is in the form of his life, making him open the innings with Rahul at five could turn out to be a masterstroke.