3 things to look forward to in the 2nd India vs South Africa ODI ft. Ruturaj Gaikwad's form

India are all set to face off against South Africa in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3. The Men in Blue are currently 1-0 up in the three-match series.

India, who lost their last ODI series against Australia, would've welcomed the 17-run win they managed in the opening encounter in Ranchi. The visitors put up a good fight, though, and another enticing clash between two world-class sides beckons.

India's squad for the South Africa ODI series: KL Rahul (c), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

South Africa's squad for the India ODI series: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen.

On that note, here are three things to look forward to in the second ODI between India and South Africa.

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#3 Ruturaj Gaikwad is running out of time

Ireland v India - 2nd Men's T20 International - Source: Getty

It might seem strange to suggest that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been granted sporadic opportunities at best, is running out of time. However, that might be the case ahead of the second ODI in Raipur.

Gaikwad, who failed after being asked to bat at No. 3 in Ranchi, definitely won't get a ton of chances. Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma are breathing down his neck, and reports suggest that they had an extended net session on the eve of the match. The incumbent players, including Shreyas Iyer, will also make their way back at some point.

Gaikwad's form will be something to watch out for - if he fails to deliver, his international comeback could turn out to be short-lived.

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#2 South Africa will welcome the returns of Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj

England v South Africa - 1st Metro Bank ODI - Source: Getty

Strangely, South Africa rested their experienced duo of captain Temba Bavuma and lead spinner Keshav Maharaj. They really missed them too - while Bavuma's ability to negate movement was missed in the powerplay, Maharaj's backup Prenelan Subrayen didn't offer much with the ball.

In the second ODI, Bavuma's impending return will allow Quinton de Kock to take up his favored spot at the top of the order. The Proteas will have some assurance in the middle order, and that would be useful amid a bunch of powerful hitters.

Maharaj, meanwhile, will be a big weapon against India's middle order. Although they aren't short of left-handers, the hosts might not be able to counter the left-arm spinner if Yashasvi Jaiswal isn't around to take him now.

How the return of the two stalwarts strengthens South Africa will be an important storyline surrounding the second ODI.

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#1 Yashasvi Jaiswal needs to overcome the left-arm seamer challenge

Australia v India - ODI Series: Game 3 - Source: Getty

Speaking of Jaiswal, he needs to find a way to counter the twin threat of Marco Jansen and Nandre Burger in the powerplay. The left-handed opener has been threatened by away-seam from left-armers in recent times, having been squared up and troubled by the extra bounce as well.

Jaiswal is currently filling in for Shubman Gill and isn't guaranteed a spot in the ODI team. He needs to show what he can do at the top of the order, and overcoming one of his biggest tests will go a long way in convincing the team management that he can do the job.