South Africa vs India 2018: 5 player battles to watch out in ODIs

Quinton de Kock vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Quinton de Kock has a total of five centuries against India, but was out of form in the recent Tests

India's new ball specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar has had his share of batterings in ODI cricket, having been smashed for 106 in 10 overs against South Africa at Mumbai in 2015 and more recently, being hit for 92 by New Zealand at Kanpur last October. In the former match, three batsmen had smacked centuries, one of which was the opposition wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.

The opener has taken a special liking for India, having hammered three consecutive centuries during the 3 ODIs at home in 2013, something which kept even Graeme Smith out of the side; and in 2015, he again bashed two centuries in five matches, batting at a rapid pace to demoralise the opposition.

But low scores in the Tests recently mean de Kock is under pressure against the dependable Bhuvneshwar, who can swing the new ball both ways and have an early say in the game.