Akshay Thakur - Sunday, Nov 30, 2025India vs South Africa 1st ODI Pitch Report: Team India will now shift its focus to the first ODI against South Africa at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. This series will see India's star pair, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, return after their successful outings in Australia.
India lost their previous ODI series against Australia 1-2, played in Australia. However, the best part was Rohit Sharma's form, as he was named Player of the Series for his impressive form in all three matches. Due to Shubman Gill's injury, KL Rahul will captain the team, while Rishabh Pant will keep the wicket.
It was a similar story in South Africa's last One-Day International series, which took place on their overseas tour against Pakistan. The visitors lost two out of three games. However, the team will be looking to start afresh and challenge the Indians after their recent performance in the red-ball leg of the tour.
SA vs IND 1st ODI Match Pitch Report: The pitch at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi is a balanced surface that offers some support to batsmen initially, with pacers getting good bounce and carry with the new ball. As the innings progresses, it slows down, providing grip and turn for spinners, while also assisting cutters and slower bowlers.
Competitive totals in ODIs here range from 260-290 runs, and the ground's large boundaries help bowlers contain large scores. In this day-night match, scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM IST on November 30, 2025, under lights, dew may aid chasing teams, although the dry surface may favor spin.
India's spin options like Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are ideal for the middle overs, while South Africa's pacers can take advantage of the early conditions. Teams winning the toss often choose to bowl first due to the possibility of dew later in the innings.
| Total matches: | 9 |
| Batting first won: | 3 |
| Bowling first won: | 5 |
| 1st inn avg score: | 235 |
| 2nd inn avg score: | 189 |
| Highest Total: | 313/5 |
| Lowest Total: | 112/10 |
| Highest Chased: | 288/7 |
| Lowest Defended: | 260/7 |
India Playing 11: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa Playing 11: Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
