Can Team India settle Test score in ODIs against SA?:Rohit-Virat return to international cricket at home soil after 9 months; South Africa eye to break 10-year drought

India will look to bounce back from a disappointing Test series defeat as they prepare to face South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting October 30 in Ranchi. South Africa recently created history by winning a Test series in India after 25 years and also completing a 2-0 clean sweep. Now, with senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning, India hope to turn the momentum in their favour. The ODI series offers India a chance to restore confidence after the setback in Tests. Their experienced duo, Rohit and Kohli, are expected to strengthen the team heavily, especially in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer and pacer Jasprit Bumrah. KL Rahul will lead the side in this important contest. This series also brings an emotional edge. India defeated South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, denying them their first ICC title. Now, after a year and a half, the Proteas returned the favour by beating India in Tests. The ODI series gives India the opportunity to level the rivalry once again. India look to settle the score after historic Test defeat South Africa’s Test victory ended India’s 25-year dominance at home. Their last Test series win in India came in 2000. Since then, they had played five series in the country, losing three and drawing two—until the breakthrough this month. The Proteas will now carry that confidence into the ODI format. The upcoming ODI matches will be played on November 30, December 3 and December 6. A 3-0 win for India will not only heal the wounds of the Test series but also help balance the head-to-head record in ODIs. South Africa ahead in ODIs, but India dominate series battles India and South Africa have played 58 ODIs so far. South Africa have won 30, while India have won 27, with one match ending without result. If India win all three matches, the record will become equal at 30-30. However, in ODI series, India have the upper hand. Out of 15 ODI series between the two teams, India have won eight, compared to South Africa’s six. One series ended in a draw. Their most recent series in 2023 was won by India 2-1. In India, the teams have played 24 ODIs—India won 14 and South Africa won 10. But South Africa have won only one ODI series in India, which came in 2015 under AB de Villiers’ captaincy. India’s strong home record and impact of Rohit-Kohli For the last 15 years, India have been extremely difficult to beat at home in limited-overs cricket. Since 2011, India have played 118 ODIs at home, winning 84 and losing only 31, giving them a strong win percentage of 71%. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adds further strength. Both players have outstanding ODI records in India. Kohli holds the record for the most ODI centuries in India with 24, followed by Sachin Tendulkar with 20. Rohit Sharma is third with 14 centuries. Kohli is also close to becoming India’s highest ODI scorer at home. Series critical for India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans After the ODI series against Australia earlier this year, India began laying the foundation for the 2027 World Cup. Though India lost that series 2-1, both Rohit and Kohli showed strong form. Rohit was even named Player of the Series. Including this South Africa series, India will play 21 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup. With Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah not available, this series gives India the perfect chance to test their bench strength and build a stable team combination.