The Proteas are set to face India in the opening match of a three-match ODI series on November 30, 2025, at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. After losing 2-1 to Pakistan in their last ODI series, Temba Bavuma’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways.
South Africa enters this series with something to prove. The Pakistan loss still stings. But don’t forget, before that, they beat England and Australia in their own conditions.
India, meanwhile, lost their Test series at home and struggled in Australia, winning just one of their last three ODIs.
This article covers everything South African fans need to know about the first ODI, including match details, betting odds from top SA platforms, team news, and predictions.
South Africa vs India 1st ODI Details
The JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi will host the series opener. Here are the full details:
| Series | India vs South Africa ODI Series 2025 |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st ODI |
| Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Time (SAST) | 10:00 AM |
| Time (IST) | 1:30 PM |
| Venue | JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi |
South Africa & India – Squads
South Africa will be captained by Temba Bavuma, who returns after missing the Pakistan series due to injury. Quinton de Kock also makes his return to ODIs. The squad is balanced with experience and youth.
India faces several injury concerns. Shubman Gill (neck), Shreyas Iyer (abdominal), and Hardik Pandya are all out. KL Rahul will lead the side in their absence.
Check the squads here:
1. South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Matthew Breetzke
2. India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul (C & wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna
South Africa vs India 1st ODI – Pitch Report
The JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi is known as a batting paradise. The pitch offers good pace and bounce early on, which helps the batters play their shots freely. Fast bowlers can get some early movement, but as the match progresses, spinners come into play.
The outfield is quick. Boundaries aren’t too big either.
Here are some details for you:
- Pitch Behaviour: Good for batting with decent pace and bounce early on
- Batting Assistance: Fast outfield and moderate boundaries make scoring easier; chase-friendly venue
- Bowling Assistance: Pacers get early help; spinners become effective as the pitch slows down
- Average First Innings Score: 270-310 in recent ODIs
- Toss Factor: Teams prefer to chase here; dew can make bowling difficult in the second innings
South Africa vs India 1st ODI – Weather Report
The weather in Ranchi on November 30, 2025, should be pleasant for cricket. No major concerns about rain interruptions.
1. Temperature: Daytime highs around 26°C (79°F), dropping to 15°C (59°F) in the evening
2. Weather: Clear skies expected with minimal cloud cover
3. Precipitation: Very low chance of rain
4. Humidity: Around 60%, comfortable conditions for players
5. Wind: Light winds from the northeast, won’t affect play much
South Africa vs India – Head to Head in ODIs
India and South Africa have a long rivalry in ODI cricket. They’ve faced each other 94 times, and South Africa actually leads the head-to-head record.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches | 94 |
| India win | 40 |
| South Africa win | 51 |
| No result | 3 |
Winning & Toss Odds For South Africa vs India 1st ODI
For the upcoming 1st ODI on November 30, 2025, in Ranchi, experts predict India has higher winning odds.
However, South Africa comes into the series with confidence after recently winning the Test series against India.
Match Winner Prediction
| Platform | South Africa Win Odds | India Win Odds | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betway | 2.4 | 2 | Balanced for the match winner |
| Bet Winner | 2.45 | 1.52 | Higher South Africa wins payout |
| 10Bet | 2.38 | 2 | Best value balance |
| Hollywood Bets | 2.5 | 2 | Ideal for South Africa’s favorites |
Most analysts give India an edge in this fixture. Their batting depth with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul gives them a solid foundation. India’s spin options, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, will also be effective as the pitch slows down.
But South Africa shouldn’t be written off. They have momentum from the Test series win. Quinton de Kock is in red-hot form. And their pace attack led by Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandre Burger can exploit early conditions.
Toss Odds And Pitch Context
| Platform | Toss Odds (South Africa) | Toss Odds (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Betway | 2 | 1.88 |
| Bet Winner | 2 | 1.9 |
| 10Bet | 2 | 2 |
| Hollywood Bets | 2 | 2 |
Toss Prediction: Expert insights suggest India is slightly more likely to win the toss.
Toss Decision: Due to potential dew later in the evening and historical results at the venue (teams chasing have won 5 out of 9 times), the team that wins the toss will likely elect to bowl first.
Chasing has been the preferred option in Ranchi. The dew factor makes it difficult for bowlers to control the ball in the second innings. Batters also find it easier to time their shots under lights with moisture on the outfield.
Main Players to Watch in South Africa vs India 1st ODI
These players from both teams will be important for their side’s chances in Ranchi.
| Players | Reason |
|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | The explosive opener smashed 239 runs in three innings against Pakistan. His aggressive starts can set the tone for South Africa. |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | In red-hot form with 202 runs in the Australia series, including a century. His experience at the top makes him dangerous. |
| Nandre Burger (SA) | The young pacer has pace and movement. He can trouble India’s top order with early breakthroughs. |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | Always a threat in ODIs. He knows how to pace an innings and can take the game away from South Africa. |
| Marco Jansen (SA) | The tall all-rounder provides balance. His left-arm pace and lower-order hitting make him valuable. |
| Arshdeep Singh (IND) | India’s best death bowler. He can swing the new ball and executes yorkers well at the death. |
Winner Prediction: South Africa vs India 1st ODI
Both teams have quality in their squads. India has a home advantage and a star-studded batting lineup. But they’re dealing with injuries and coming off a tough period.
South Africa has recent wins over England and Australia. Their pace attack looks sharp. De Kock is in the form of his life. And they’ve historically done well in India.
The pitch in Ranchi will help batters. Chasing teams have an advantage. Early wickets will be crucial. If South Africa’s pacers can strike early, they can put pressure on India’s reshuffled middle order.
Prediction: India holds a slight edge due to home conditions and their top-order firepower, but South Africa has the form and confidence to challenge them seriously. This could go either way.
Expected Score: If South Africa bats first: 255-290. If India bats first: 270-315
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Conclusion: Can The Proteas Upset India In Ranchi?
The first ODI between India and South Africa promises to be a cracker. India will rely on their senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead from the front. KL Rahul will need to step up as captain with key players missing.
South Africa comes in as the underdogs, but they have nothing to lose. Quinton de Kock’s form gives them a massive advantage at the top. Marco Jansen and the pace attack can exploit any weaknesses in India’s batting.
South African fans have every reason to be hopeful because the Proteas have beaten bigger teams in tougher conditions this year.
