IND v SA ODI series Review: Ro-Ko brilliance bandaids India’s morale but big-picture questions remain

India’s ODI fortunes have been quite favourable in the last few years. A runner-up finish in the last World Cup and triumphs in the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy, however, are all well in the distant past in age of short attention spans. The 0-2 Test drubbing at the hands of South Africa meant that the Men in Blue headed into the white-ball leg seeing red.

Funnily, in the span of a week, a 2-1 ODI series triumph and some replays of vintage classics from two men who have been the faces of Indian cricket’s highest highs this generation, have suddenly brought the smiles back on the faces of fans.

The larger-than-life figures that are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gave antsy Indian fans plenty to savour. The 40s might be fast approaching, but this pair has shown no signs of slowing down with a series haul of 302 runs and 146 runs, respectively. Their intentions to be in the reckoning for the 2027 World Cup are clear with their decision to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer’s absence due to injury was barely felt with India’s incredible white ball batting depth once again on display. Yashasvi Jaiswal, all of one ODI old, grabbed his chance with aplomb.

After two matches where he seemed extra eager to make a mark, Jaiswal showed maturity to choose patience over passion as he rang in his maiden century in the format. There’s enough stability and firepower in the ranks for the likes of Rishabh Pant to not find a place.

Rank turners made way for pristine batting wickets with Kohli anchoring solid totals in every game. India’s rotten luck with the toss meant the home side could not capitalise on dew in Ranchi and Raipur, with South Africa giving India a scare in the first ODI and finishing a win in the second. That too turned in India’s favour in the decider in Visakhapatnam to put a neat blue bow on the series.

But other questions do persist.

With New Zealand visiting in January, the search for a sixth bowling option continues, as Gautam Gambhir admitted, with Washington Sundar and Tilak Verma not setting the stage alight when the ball was thrown to them. It once again came down to Kuldeep, whose two four-fers helped buoy India’s fightbacks in the slog overs.

Bigger strategic headaches exist in the pace pool. While Jasprit Bumrah has cemented his place in the side, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna still face uncertainty. They might not have shocked the opponent as much, but they didn’t do much wrong either. Mohammed Siraj is waiting in the wings, too. That a case can be made for and against any of the three shows the quagmire the management will need to get out of.

In the first two ODIs, India missed having a swashbuckling, power-hitting all-rounder to change gears in the death. Hardik Pandya’s return to full fitness does solve that conundrum, for now.

Action now moves to Cuttack, where the first of five T20Is against the Proteas will get underway on December 9, crucial towards preparations for the home T20 World Cup in a few months.