South Africa vs India 2018: 5 Indian milestones to watch out for in the ODI series

With the closely contested Test series ending 2-1 in favour of the hosts, all eyes are now on the six-match bilateral ODI series between South Africa and India starting on February 1.

Let us now have a look at some records that can be achieved by players and the Indian team during the series.

#5 Mohammed Shami

The Indian pacer, who happens to be the second-fastest Indian to take 50 ODI wickets, has taken 91 wickets and needs 9 more to reach the 100-wicket milestone.

Shami, who has been in and out of the Indian team due to injuries, was the most successful Indian bowler with 15 wickets to his name in the recently concluded Test series against the Proteas.

#4 MS Dhoni

Former India captain needs 102 runs to become the second wicket-keeper in the world to score 10,000 runs in ODI cricket after the Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara.

Going through a rough patch currently, Dhoni will also be looking to come good and cement his place in the team beyond any reasonable doubt for the 2019 ICC World Cup.

#3 Virat Kohli

Touted as one of the best batsmen in the world Virat Kohli has a strike rate of 77.61 in the 11 ODIs that he has played in South Africa against the hosts.

Out of the nine countries, he has played ODIs in, South Africa remains the only place where he hasn't scored a hundred yet. He is also 6 catches shy of completing a century of catches in ODIs.

#2 The elusive series win

Playing in South Africa against the hosts has always proved difficult for the visiting teams and India is no exception. India have won only 5 ODIs out of the 27 ODIs it has played against South Africa on the South African soil.

The Men in Blue have never won a bilateral ODI series against the Proteas in their backyard.

It was 3-2 in 2010-11, 4-0 in 2006-07 and 5-2 further back in 1992-93 and thus there is an opportunity for India to improve their record by claiming the first-ever series win in the Rainbow Nation.

#1 The coveted title of being the number 1 side in ODIs

The top position will be up for grabs when India lock horns with South Africa in the six-match series.

Currently, the Proteas are sitting on top of the ICC ODI rankings and have 1 more rating point in their kitty than India.

Since the points are adjusted after every match, the tussle between the two teams will be very interesting to watch.