India, who have not won a single match against the touring South Africa side, lost the T20 series 2-0 and are 1-0 down in the five-match ODI series. The men in blue are in serious need of winning the second ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Wednesday, or else it is going to be very difficult for India to win the ODI series.
India did not play poor cricket in the first ODI, but they were outdone by Kasigo Rabada's fine bowling performance and AB de Villiers heroics with the bat. For India, Rohit Sharma's magnificent ton went in vain, but these players are once agains going to be key members for their respective sides in Indore.
Here is a look at some other key players from both India and South Africa.
India: Virat Kohli: The Test skipper has been the key batsman for India in all formats of the game for more than 18 months now. It is time for Kohli to score big in the second ODI as the batsman possesses a special ability to change gears as per the situation. With Shikhar Dhawan not looking in great touch against the Proteas so far, Kohli needs to shoulder more responsibility and carry the bat through the innings. The Indian batsman is due for a big score as his last six innings in the ODI format reads 3,1,1,23, 25, and 11 runs.
Amit Mishra: The Indian leggie has to deliver the goods against South Africa in the absence of their number one spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, who suffered an injury in the first ODI. Mishra bowled brilliantly in the first ODI, where he took two crucial wickets, but MS Dhoni will ask for more from his leggie to help change the fortunes for India.
South Africa: Hashim Amla: The South African team have a number of strokemakers in their lineup, which includes AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock. Amla provides that steady hand at the top of the order. Make no mistake, Amla can also score at a quick rate when required. Amla, who plays the new ball with great comfort, can provide a solid platform for the middle order batsmen to score big later in the innings.
Imran Tahir: Tahir has been a sensational performer for South Africa of late, and the ongoing series has witnessed his upward bowling trajectory. With the pitch in Indore expected to assist spinners, Tahir, who is South Africa's top spinner, will be a key bowler.
Tahir is a wicket-taking bowler, which was evident when he took two crucial wickets -- Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina – in the first ODI. If the bowler gets on top in the second ODI, the India batsmen, who are said to be good players of spin bowling, will have a huge battle on their hands.
