SA vs IND, 1st ODI: India look to bounce back from Test series defeat, all eyes on Virat Kohli ‘the batter’

SA vs IND: The focus will shift on Virat Kohli 'the batter' when KL Rahul-led Indian team takes on Temba Bavuma's South Africa in the three-match ODI series.

The KL Rahul-led Indian team will look to bounce back from the shocking Test series defeat when they take on hosts South Africa in a three-match ODI series, starting on Wednesday in Paarl. On the previous tour, India hammered the hosts 5-1 in ODIs and they will draw confidence from it when they face the Temba Bavuma-led side in Paarl. I've learnt a lot from @msdhoni and @imVkohli. @klrahul11 on his learnings from MS Dhoni & Virat Kohli and leading #TeamIndia in the ODI series against South Africa. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/1mPm2jKDUB Ready to go ahead of the first Betway ODI #SAvIND #BetwayODISeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/BZeMSKJ2Yu

Also, Virat Kohli, 'the batter', will be keenly followed as he takes on the field as a mere player for the first time in seven years. Not only does Kohli have a major role to play as a batter, but as vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said on the eve of the series, the star “will always be a leader” in the team.