Since September last year the national side has played in just a half an ODI against the Netherlands. Only one innings was played in the first ODI between the Proteas and the Dutch before the proceedings were brought to a halt due to rain.

The remaining two ODI's in the series was called off due to the rising Covid-19 numbers in South Africa late last year.

South Africa is currently 9th in the World Super League standings and are in serious danger of not qualifying automatically for the next year's ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

The Proteas skipper, Temba Bavuma, told OFM Sport that they are ready to meet the challenge.

“There's no bigger motivation for this group of guys. We come up against a strong outfit in the Indian team.

“I guess it inspires us to bring our best cricket.

“Yes, we might not have played 50-over cricket in the last while and we might not have had the practises that we wanted as a group.

But come tomorrow we have to make sure that we pitch up and we do what we have to do.”

Wednesday's 1st ODI at Boland Park in Paarl gets underway at 10:30.

Proteas ODI squad vs India - Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport