India's Suresh Raina dives for the ball during their fielding practice at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday. India will play its One-Day International cricket match against South Africa Thursday. — AP JOHANNESBURG — The much-awaited India's tour of South Africa commences with the first One–Day International (ODI) at the Wanderers here Thursday. While India is coming off a series win over the West Indies, South Africa was stunned on home soil by Pakistan. India has a settled unit and may not make any change to its line-up. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have firmly established themselves at the top. Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina form the middle-order with skipper Dhoni to follow. Yuvraj batted at No. 4 during the last game against the West Indies and got a much-needed fifty. In all likelihood, India would persist with him at that spot. At No. 7, Ravindra Jadeja would continue in the capacity of the all-rounder. Given his performance in slightly alien conditions during the ICC Champions Trophy in England this year, the team management would continue to back him for this tour. Ravichandran Ashwin will be the spinner and has the task of maintaining the pressure on the opposition in the middle overs. Of course, Jadeja too would contribute in that regard. Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the two fast-bowlers who have established themselves in the line-up. However, there may be some concerns over the third seamer's role. South Africa, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back after a disappointing series against Pakistan. Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn are fit and raring to go for this encounter. Steyn is the key to its fortunes and can turn the game anytime. At the top, it has Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith, the experienced campaigners. JP Duminy and de Villiers are the other key batsmen in the line-up. In the spin-bowling department, South Africa would be pinning their hopes on Aaron Phangiso, who has shown that he can control the run-flow. Steyn, Morne Morkel and perhaps a Vernon Philander would form a formidable bowling attack. The last time these two sides met was during the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. India won the game comprehensively then but South Africa did not have their established stars at service then. — Agencies
