IND vs SA 1st ODI Preview: Head To Head, Pitch, Weather Report, Playing 11, Streaming Details and Prediction. India is shifting its focus to the white-ball format after a humiliating home Test series loss to South Africa. The first ODI of a three-match series will be played on November 30, 2025, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
The match will be played as a day-night event, starting at 1:30 PM IST (first session 13:30–17:00, interval 17:00–17:30, second session 17:30–21:00). For the Indian team, the contest will be a comeback of experienced players, such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Also Read: WPL 2026 Auction: Full Players List With Price PDF Download
On the other hand, the absent injured players, such as Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, will be replaced by KL Rahul. He will captain the Indian team in this match. South Africa will be aiming to use the victory in the Test series as a confidence booster.
Head-to-Head in ODIs
The two teams have faced each other in ODIs a total of 94 times over the years. South Africa won 51 matches and India have won 40. Three matches ended without a result.
In this regard, South Africa has a slight overall advantage. The history of these matches suggests that they are not one-sided at all—except for certain cases when India plays at home. The factors of form, conditions, and the return of key players might even the odds in this series.
Venue & Pitch Conditions
The granting of JSCA Stadium in Ranchi has been the source of such pitches that were very balanced in the last ODI matches. Early batsmen may be in favour of going with seamers who manage to get a good bounce and carry. As the game continues, spin may get some help when the pitch gets a little softer.
The first batting teams are likely to score between 260 and 300 runs, but chasing might be in favour of the side batting second under the evening sky—especially if it is due or the visibility is easier.
Weather & Conditions in Ranchi
Ranchi weather at the end of November is usually a little bit nasty for cricket. The temperature forecast before the match is comfortable, probably clear or partly cloudy skies and low rain chances—perfect for playing without interruption.
These types of weather conditions will be batters’ and bowlers’ friends at different times with very little possibility of washouts.
Probable Playing XI
India: KL Rahul (c & wk), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, W. Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen.
Streaming, Broadcast Details and Prediction
The IND vs SA 1st ODI will be live on Star Sports channels in India, and JioStar will offer the live streaming service.
Also Read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule PDF Download
It seems this first ODI will be a fight in which the sides will be very close to each other in terms of the score. With Rohit and Kohli back, India’s aim will be to take early control, ground a solid top order, and set a high target. South Africa, though, are bold and have a wide range of bowlers. Thus, they are strong adversaries if they take an early seam or contain spinners in the midst of the innings.
Prediction: Slight leaning towards India (around 55-45), but a close contest is expected. The side winning the toss may opt for the first innings and may also like to set a target of around 280-300. The second innings under the lights could give the chasing side a slight advantage.