India vs South Africa 1st ODI Predictions - Rohit to batter the Proteas attack

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 28 Nov 2025

Simon Lewis 28 Nov 2025

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Rohit Sharma hit three sixes in his 125-ball 121 against Australia.
Quinton de Kock (239 runs) was the Player of the Series against Pakistan.
Can India beat the Proteas to take a 1–0 lead in the ODI series?

Rohit Sharma sweeps a six against India (Getty Images).

India vs South Africa Predictions

India will look to the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to bring fresh energy into the side after their disastrous 2-0 Test series loss to the Proteas. India’s one-day form is good and they should have the beating of South Africa.

India’s Rohit Sharma has scored 81, 73 & 121* in his last 5 innings.
India’s Virat Kohli scored 74 off 81 balls against Australia.
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock scored 63, 123* and 53 in the three ODIs against Pakistan.
South Africa’s Lhuan-dre Pretorius hit six sixes in his 98-ball 123 against India A.

Head-to-Head

India have won four and lost one of their last five ODIs against South Africa.

India Form

India bounced back from losing the opening two ODIs of their series against Australia by winning the 3rd ODI by nine wickets. That made it three wins in their last five ODIs.

Aside from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India’s top order have been struggling to score consistent runs. KL Rahul has not reached 40 in his last eight innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad was in good form in the series against SA A, scoring 117, 68* and 25 in the three matches.

Harshit Rana took 2/58 and 4/39 in his last two ODIs against Australia. His last three matches were List A clashes with SA A, with Rana taking 2/49, 3/21 and 2/47 as India A won the unofficial ODI series 2-1.

India Team News

Shubman Gill will miss the series following his injury against South Africa in the Test series.

South Africa Form

South Africa made it three defeats in their last four ODIs when Pakistan beat them by seven wickets.

Quinton de Kock has forged a strong white-ball opening partnership with Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The youngster has scored 46, 39, 21, 123 and 55 in his last five innings. In the middle-order Matthew Breetzke has scored 42 and 39 in his last five innings. Marco Jansen’s white-ball form has been patchy, but in the most recent Test against India he scored 93 and took 6/48 in India’s first innings

Corbin Bosch has been in great white-ball form in his last six matches on the subcontinent. Bosch has scored 30* and 40 and returned figures of 4/14, 2/24, 2/32 and 2/58 in those matches. Nqabayomzi Peter took 3/55 against Pakistan and 4/48 against India A. Nandre Burger took 4/46 in the 2nd ODI against Pakistan.

South Africa Team News

Kagiso Rabada is still out injured.

Verdict

India v South Africa 1st ODI

I am backing India to win. I am also backing Rohit Sharma to top score for India, with Harshit Rana their top bowler.

Quinton de Kock is a good bet to top score for South Africa.

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