India look to seal series with four in a row

Johannesburg: Shellshocked after three resounding defeats, and shorn of some star names, there is no respite for South Africa as they prepare for a fourth ODI in the space of 10 days.

The hosts have been beaten by six wickets, nine wickets and 124 runs in the three matches so far in the series, and now need to win the next three games on the bounce to take a share of the spoils. On current form, they face a monumental task.

Three issues in particular have plagued the Proteas: the imperious form of Virat Kohli (who scores two centuries and out only once), the brilliance of India's wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal (who have taken 21 wickets between them) and a succession of injuries to key players.

South Africa will have to continue to cope without the injured pair of Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock for the rest of the series, but will be buoyed by AB de Villiers' return to the squad following a finger injury.

At the time of writing a final decision had yet to be made on his fitness for this clash at The Wanderers, but the hosts will be desperate to include him if at all possible. Aiden Markram will continue to deputise as captain and Heinrich Klaasen will remain behind the stumps whether de Villiers plays or not.

India have been unchanged throughout the series and it would be a surprise if they toyed with their line-up given their impressive form and the fact that top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings is on the line.

Teams from

South Africa: Aiden Markram (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaya Zondo

India: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma (vice-capt), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur

Pitch and conditions
The pitch for the recent Test match between these two sides was rated 'poor', with the venue receiving three demerit points after several batsmen suffered nasty blows. A sunny day is expected in Johannesburg, with temperatures around 24 degrees.

Stats and trivia
88 runs needed by MS Dhoni to complete 10000 runs ODIs.

Match facts
Saturday February 10, 2018
Start time: 13:00 local (11:00 GMT)