SA eye India's No. 2 ODI spot

JAIPUR: With their thrilling Test series ending 1-1, the focus has shifted to the shorter format where the No. 2-ranked India take on South Africa - who are at No. 3 in ODI charts - in a three-match series, with the first tie to be played in Jaipur on Sunday.
A series victory would propel the visitors to the No. 2 spot whereas a triumph for India would keep them firmly behind leaders Australia.
The change of personnel in both teams is sure to add spice to the contest.The likes of Yusuf Pathan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina are all set to get a look in for the hosts while South Africa welcome ODI specialists Herschelle Gibbs, Albie Morkel, Loots Bosman and Roelof van der Merwe.
With all three contests being day-nighters, team composition and toss will be crucial factors for both captains - MS Dhoni and Jacques Kallis, who is leading the side in the absence of Graeme Smith.
Talking of injuries, India are sure to feel the absence of the injured Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh in the batting department. Zaheer Khan, who suffered a muscle strain in the second Test at Eden Gardens and Harbhajan Singh, who has opted out of first two ODIs to attend his sister's wedding, will be missed in the bowling department.
South Africa, on their part, will need to think out their opening combination in the absence of Smith. In-form Hashim Amla, who originally was not part of the ODI squad, has been asked to stay back and may partner Bosman at the top.
Both teams head into the ODI series after some indifferent results in the recent past.