IND vs SA Match Prediction : 1st ODI, South Africa tour of India, 2025
IND vs SA Win Probability
69%
India
31%
South Africa
India To Win, 1.36
India has won three of its 5 matches at this venue
India has won 13 of its last 14 ODIs at home
South Africa has lost 5 of its last 6 ODIs against India
IND vs SA Betting Tips
Rohit Sharma to score Over 31.5 runs
Rohit Sharma comes into this ODI in excellent touch and is once again expected to anchor India’s top order. He has been scoring consistently this year and has passed the 30-run mark regularly, including multiple fifties and hundreds in recent innings, which makes a line of 31.5 very reachable for him. Given his strong record against South Africa in ODIs, backing him to cross this mark looks like a value pick for this match.
Keshav Maharaj to be the best bowler for South Africa
Keshav Maharaj has been South Africa’s most reliable ODI bowler this year and is likely to bowl a full quota of overs in conditions that should reward accuracy and discipline. He has regularly picked up multiple wickets in recent matches, often finishing as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker, so there is every chance he repeats that role here.
Team form (Last 5 matches)
India
South Africa
After a heavy Test series defeat, India will be highly motivated to respond in the ODI format and restore pride at home. With senior players returning and conditions heavily in their favor, India is well placed to start the series with a win when the first ODI is played at the JSCA Cricket Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.
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India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have met 94 times in ODIs so far. South Africa holds a historical edge with 51 wins, while India has won 40, and 3 matches ended with no result.
India vs South Africa Live-streaming and Broadcast
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans in India can also stream the game live via the JioHotstar app.
You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbscores.com.
IND vs SA Team Previews
India
India will be eager to put the disappointing Test series behind them and reset in a format where they have been far more dominant at home. A fresh start in ODIs, especially in familiar conditions, gives them an ideal platform to hit back.
The big boost for India is the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who not only add world-class quality to the batting but also bring immense experience and stability to the dressing room. With Shubman Gill ruled out due to a neck injury, KL Rahul is set to captain the side, while Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to open alongside Rohit, giving India an aggressive left-right combination at the top.
The middle order should feature Kohli and Tilak Varma, with Rishabh Pant providing firepower and flexibility in the middle and death overs.
In the all-round and bowling department, Ravindra Jadeja’s presence is crucial as he contributes with both bat and ball and will combine with Kuldeep Yadav to form a strong spin pair.
India is likely to back a three-seamer attack of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, giving them a blend of left-arm angle, hit-the-deck pace, and new-ball swing.
India Playing 11
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Tilak Varma, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana
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South Africa
South Africa’s recent ODI form has been patchy, with a 2–1 series loss to Pakistan earlier this month, and they now face an even tougher challenge in Indian conditions. However, they are clearly using this series to shape a core group with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.
With Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma both fit, the top order looks more settled, pushing fringe batters like Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Sinethemba Qeshile out of the XI. Bavuma, who was excellent in the Test series, will again be key in holding the innings together.
Quinton de Kock is likely to open and attack the new ball, while Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton should further strengthen the top and middle order. Corbin Bosch remains in the squad as an all-rounder, while Marco Jansen and Prenelan Subrayen come in to add more balance with bat and ball.
With Kagiso Rabada still recovering, the new-ball duties should fall to Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger, who will look to exploit whatever early movement is on offer. Keshav Maharaj will be the main spin threat through the middle overs and at the death, tasked with keeping India’s strong batting lineup in check.
South Africa Expected Playing 11
Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Matthew Breetzke
IND vs SA Toss Prediction
With three of the five ODIs at this venue won by the chasing side, there is a slight advantage in bowling first. The team winning the toss is therefore likely to field, look to exploit early movement, and then chase with the dew potentially aiding batting under lights.
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The JSCA Stadium in Ranchi generally offers an excellent batting surface with a hard, flat pitch and even bounce. There should be some movement for the new-ball bowlers early on, especially if there is a bit of grass left on the wicket, but conditions become much easier for batting once set. A first-innings total in the region of 290 should be considered par.
The weather is expected to be cloudy but dry, with temperatures staying below 25°C and no serious threat of rain interruptions.
IND vs SA: Who Will Win?
India rightly starts as the favorite. Despite the Test-series setback, India’s home record in ODIs is outstanding, and the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli significantly bolsters their batting strength. South Africa has enough quality to compete, but over 50 overs in Indian conditions, the balance still tilts toward the hosts.
Bet on India to win.
