New Delhi: South Africa and India are all set to lock horns against each other in the first Pink ODI of the year, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Since 2013, five Pink ODIs have been played and the Wanderers’ one will be the sixth. History suggests that the home side has been invincible whenever they have donned the Pink jersey and have beaten the likes of Pakistan (2013), India (2013), West Indies (2015), England (2017) and Sri Lanka (2017).
Opposition Date Win Margin
Pakistan 17 March 2013 34 Runs
India 5 Dec 2013 141 Runs
West Indies 18 Jan 2015 148 Runs
England 12 Feb 2016 1 Wicket
Sri Lanka 4 Feb 2017 7 Wicket.
The ‘Pink ODI’ as it is referred to as is a bid to increase breast cancer awareness. According to a Cricket South Africa report, women in the country have a one in a twenty-nine chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer – the most common disease amongst women.
Although the ‘Men in Blue’ have been in sensational form in the series, they will be wary of Proteas’ Pink ODI record as it has been surreal.
AB De Villiers who is making a comeback to the team after an injury lay-off, a period which saw the visitors run riot and win three games on the bounce.
In 2015 De Villiers smashed fastest ODI century against West Indies. He scored 149 runs off just 44 balls. In the first Pink ODI, AB De Villiers slammed a majestic 128 to help South Africa beat Pakistan by 34 runs.
Last time Pink Day, De Villiers and Wanderers combined, India were thrashed by 141 runs and the hosts will hope history that will repeat itself again to provide them with some respite.
India is already 3-0 up in the series and a victory on Saturday will not only see them through to their first silverware in the ODI format in South Africa but will also assure themselves of the No 1 title in ICC ODI Rankings.
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