India A vs South Africa A – 1st Unofficial ODI Match Preview (13 November 2025)

Match Details

• Team 1: India A
• Team 2: South Africa A
• Match: 1st Unofficial ODI
• Series: South Africa A tour of India A
• Date & Time: Thursday, 13 November 2025, 1:30 PM IST (08:00 GMT)
• Venue: Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, India
• Format: 50-over Unofficial ODI

Match Preview

The 1st Unofficial One Day International between India A and South Africa A is set to kick off the three-match ODI series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. This encounter marks the start of a thrilling bilateral series featuring rising stars from both nations.

India A, coming off a narrow 4-wicket victory in the first unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru, will be eager to carry the momentum into the limited-overs format. The team has been bolstered by the presence of key players like Rishabh Pant, who has been in fine form in previous fixtures.

South Africa A, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from that Test loss and showcase their depth and adaptability in the ODI setup. Tiaan van Vuuren and other emerging talents are expected to play pivotal roles in their attempt to outmaneuver India A.

The Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot is known for its balanced pitch, offering fair assistance to both bat and bowl. With the weather generally conducive for cricket in this region, the toss could play a crucial role in shaping the game.

Head-to-Head

• Last Meeting: First unofficial Test (10 November 2025) – India A won by 4 wickets
• Series Context: This is the first ODI in a three-match series between the two sides
• Historical Insight: While there is no official ODI history between India A and South Africa A, the recent Test series has already set the stage for a competitive series.

Team News

India A

• Key Players: Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
• Injuries/Unavailable: TBA
• Expected Changes: The squad is expected to remain largely unchanged, with a focus on maintaining momentum from the Test series.

South Africa A

• Key Players: Tiaan van Vuuren, Anrich Nortje, Sinojith Williams
• Injuries/Unavailable: TBA
• Expected Changes: South Africa A may look to bring in fresh legs and aggressive batters to counter India A's strong batting lineup.

Probable Playing XIs

India A (XI Prediction)

1. Shubman Gill
2. Rishabh Pant (wk)
3. Priyank Panchal
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal
5. Ravindra Jadeja
6. Avesh Khan
7. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
8. Arshdeep Singh
9. Washington Sundar
10. Deepak Chahar
11. Ishan Porel

South Africa A (XI Prediction)

1. Sinojith Williams
2. Tiaan van Vuuren (wk)
3. Anrich Nortje
4. Aiden Markram
5. Siju Dhas
6. Kagiso Rabada
7. Wiaan Liebenberg
8. Tumelo Molefe
9. Beuran Hendricks
10. Tabraiz Shamsi
11. Simon Harmer

Toss Forecast

With the pitch in Rajkot expected to be relatively flat, the toss could be a pivotal moment. The team winning the toss might choose to bat first, capitalizing on the early scoring opportunities. However, if the conditions favor spin later in the game, batting second could also be a viable strategy.

Match Prediction

India A has shown impressive depth in the Test series and will be looking to start their ODI campaign on a high note. However, South Africa A has the talent and experience to make a strong case for a competitive fight. The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams aiming to secure a morale-boosting win.

Prediction:

• India A to win by 10-15 runs

Fantasy Tips (Dream11)

• Captaincy Pick: Rishabh Pant (India A) – Form, wicketkeeping, and aggressive batting
• Vice-Captain: Anrich Nortje (South Africa A) – Power and pace with both ball and bat
• Top Batters: Shubman Gill, Sinojith Williams
• Top Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Beuran Hendricks
• All-rounder: Ravindra Jadeja
• Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant

Conclusion

The India A vs South Africa A 1st Unofficial ODI promises to be an exciting start to the series, with both teams eager to make a strong impression. With quality players on either side and a balanced pitch in Rajkot, the match is expected to deliver high-quality cricket and set the tone for the rest of the series.

Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis as the action unfolds on 13 November 2025.
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