South Africa vs India 2018: India's probable playing XI for second ODI

All-rounders

Pandya has been all style and little substance so far

Hardik Pandya

Proclaimed as the harbinger of hope and the messiah India have long yearned for, expectations were sky high as Hardik Pandya made his international debut. Fulfilling those were always going to be trickier for the Baroda all-rounder than for the many who had come before him. While there have been flashes, he is yet to showcase consistency with both bat and ball and he will need to do so quickly, if he doesn't want to be swept away by the tide of cynicism that is likely to come his way if his current performances carry on for too long.

MS Dhoni (WK)

Like the Bollywood hero who sweeps the girl off her feet before the curtains come down, Dhoni arrives with even greater panache and continues to score the winning runs for India. He did so in Durban as he remained not out for the 44th time in successful ODI run chases, showing that while his age might constantly prompt critics to question his skills, like the evergreen superstar who shines brightly into the dying night, Dhoni remains relevant.