What The first ODI of the five-match Paytm ODI Trophy between India and South Africa When Sunday October 11, 2015 09:00 IST (03:30 GMT) Where Green Park, Kanpur, India The teams India The loss in the T20I series was a jolt that Team India are determined to recover from. A winning start to the ODI series would be the best way to do it. Unlike in the T20Is, the toss will not hold a major significance in the first ODI in Kanpur, which is a day affair. This will make it easier for the teams to zero in on their combinations. After inspecting the dry pitch of the venue where he made his debut as India’s Test captain, MS Dhoni said he is toying with the idea of fielding three spinners. If he goes ahead with that thought, Axar Patel could occupy the No. 7 slot. Dhoni also reiterated the importance of accuracy from the pacers, and if that is any hint, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma will continue to man the pace attack. Much has been spoken about the No. 6 position in the Indian batting order and Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the line-up. The Indian captain has made it clear that if Rahane plays, it will be as a top-order batsman, preferably an opener. With Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma settled at the top of the order, it can be surmised that Ambati Rayudu will play ahead of Rahane. With the flexibility recently seen in India’s batting order in all the formats, the batsmen’s positions would be decided as per the match situations. South Africa Momentum is the word cricketers like to use and believe in. AB de Villiers stressed on it, saying South Africa’s 2-0 T20I series win will give them a head-start going into the ODI series. While that belief is of subjective nature, it cannot be denied that the arrival of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will definitely make the visitors a much more formidable force for their remaining of the Indian sojourn. While de Villiers is confident that his batsmen are capable of handling Indian spinners in their conditions, he would also want to pick a bowling attack that demonstrates the Proteas’ strengths rather than getting carried away by the reputation of the Indian pitches and playing into India’s hands. Keeping that in mind, expect them to field a pace-heavy attack with Imran Tahir and JP Duminy as spin options. Key players India R Ashwin is in the middle of a dream run as a bowler, format of the game notwithstanding. He had a whale of a time in Sri Lanka in the Tests and even as his bowling peers were taken apart in the T20s by the Proteas batsmen, the off-spinner emerged from the series with his reputation not only intact but also enhanced. On a wicket that is known to be a spinner’s friend, Ashwin is one bowler South Africa will be wary of. With 10 overs in his kitty, he will surely be Dhoni’s go-to man in the first ODI. South Africa There are very few things on the cricket field that AB de Villiers cannot do. And in the 50-over format, with enough overs in his hands, the man can spell doom for the opposition. The prospect of him having a face-off with Ashwin – after the Indian off-spinner got de Villiers out in both the T20Is – makes the contest even more droolworthy. With his competitive juices flowing, the South African captain would be eager to go one-up and produce something special. Squads India: MS Dhoni (capt, wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Khaya Zondo