The South Africans are confident after their recent Test series win over India in the subcontinent. However, 50-over cricket is a different beast - one in which the hosts will back themselves strongly and where they’ll be determined to atone.

The Proteas’ focus over the past year has largely been on Test cricket, and that has shown, with South Africa winning the World Test Championship for the first time and securing their first Test series victory in 25 years on the subcontinent against India.

That said, over the next two years the white-ball space will - and needs to - enjoy far more attention. The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka is looming, with the global showpiece now just a few months away. In addition, South Africa will host the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

While the Proteas are confident and ready for the 1st ODI against the Men in Blue, batting coach Ashwell Prince said the team still needs to sharpen how they manage high-pressure moments in matches.

“At the moment, the squad has focused predominantly on Test cricket, and in terms of white-ball cricket, a lot of the attention is naturally on T20s with the World Cup coming up,” said the former Proteas middle-order batter.

Aiden Markram - Cricinfo

“That said, we’ve been able to try out different combinations in the 50-over space, and we still have time to get closer to what a final ODI squad might look like.

“I’d say we’re tracking well in both the batting and bowling departments.

“If there’s one area where we can still improve, it’s in those bigger moments - the tight, high-pressure, clutch situations that often decide matches.

“We’ve had some good series recently, including success in Australia and England, but there’s always room to grow.

Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, and George Linde - Cricinfo

“White-ball cricket is played in high-intensity environments, and handling those clutch moments better is probably the one area where we can still take a step forward.”

The first ball of Sunday’s 1st ODI between India and South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi is scheduled for 10:00.

Proteas Squad – Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandré Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen

Morgan Piek OFM Sport