The year 2022 was an extraordinary period in the history of cricket between India and South Africa. In a rare occurrence, the two powerhouse cricketing nations faced off in two separate three-match One Day International (ODI) series within the same calendar year. The first bilateral series took place in January on South African soil, while the second occurred in October in India.

Both series provided a stark contrast in conditions, squad selections, leadership, and eventual outcomes. Whether you are looking back to analyze the tactical battles, find specific team line-ups like the ind vs sa 1st odi 2022 playing 11, or study the overall player performances, this comprehensive guide offers the ultimate year-in-review of the ind vs sa 2022 odi campaigns.

The January 2022 ODI Series: South Africa’s Home Dominance

The first leg of the ind vs sa odi 2022 rivalry took place in South Africa during January 2022. It immediately followed a hard-fought Test series which the Proteas won 2-1.

For India, the ODI leg was marked by a transition in leadership. Rohit Sharma, who had been appointed as the full-time white-ball captain, was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Consequently, KL Rahul was handed the captaincy reins, while Jasprit Bumrah served as his deputy. This series was also highly significant as it was Virat Kohli’s first ODI series purely as a batsman in over five years, following his stepping down from captaincy across formats.

The January 2022 Schedule and Venues

• 1st ODI: January 19, 2022 – Boland Park, Paarl (South Africa won by 31 runs)
• 2nd ODI: January 21, 2022 – Boland Park, Paarl (South Africa won by 7 wickets)
• 3rd ODI: January 23, 2022 – Newlands, Cape Town (South Africa won by 4 runs)

The Squads: South Africa vs India ODI 2022 (January)

• India Squad: KL Rahul (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Jayant Yadav.
• South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj (vc), Quinton de Kock (wk), Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.

Match-by-Match Breakdown: January 2022

1st ODI: Paarl (January 19, 2022)

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first on a slow, sluggish surface at Boland Park. India’s bowlers started well, reducing the hosts to 68/3. However, Temba Bavuma (110) and Rassie van der Dussen (129* off 96 balls) put on a masterful 204-run partnership. They swept and reverse-swept India’s spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, with ease, guiding South Africa to a formidable 296/4.

In response, India’s chase began strongly with Shikhar Dhawan (79) and Virat Kohli (51) putting together a 92-run stand. However, once Dhawan fell to Tabraiz Shamsi, India’s middle order crumbled under pressure. Debuting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer failed to make an impact, and despite a late, unbeaten half-century from Shardul Thakur (50*), India finished at 265/8, losing by 31 runs.

2nd ODI: Paarl (January 21, 2022)

India won the toss and chose to bat. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant played an incredibly aggressive knock of 85 off just 71 deliveries, while KL Rahul anchored the top order with a patient 55. Shardul Thakur again contributed with an unbeaten 40, lifting India to a competitive 287/6.

However, the score proved inadequate. South African openers Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan dismantled India’s bowling attack. De Kock smashed 78 off 66 balls, while Malan played a sublime innings of 91 off 108 deliveries. Their 132-run opening stand broke the back of the chase, allowing Temba Bavuma (35) and Aiden Markram (37*) to ease South Africa to 288/3 in 48.1 overs. South Africa won by 7 wickets and sealed the sa vs ind odi 2022 January series with a game to spare.

3rd ODI: Cape Town (January 23, 2022)

Fighting to avoid a humiliating clean sweep, India elected to field first in Cape Town. Quinton de Kock was once again the tormentor-in-chief, constructing a spectacular 124 off 130 balls. Supported by Rassie van der Dussen’s half-century (52), South Africa posted 287 before being bowled out in 49.5 overs. Prasidh Krishna was the pick of the Indian bowlers, returning figures of 3/59.

India’s chase was a roller-coaster. Shikhar Dhawan (61) and Virat Kohli (65) set a solid foundation, but a middle-order collapse left them in deep trouble. Enter Deepak Chahar. The bowling all-rounder played a sensational, counter-attacking cameo, smashing 54 runs off just 34 balls. He brought India to the absolute threshold of victory. However, his dismissal in the 48th over triggered panic, and India was bowled out for 283 with four balls remaining, losing by just 4 runs. South Africa completed a resounding 3-0 whitewash.

The October 2022 ODI Series: India’s Redemption on Home Soil

Nine months later, the Proteas returned to the subcontinent for another white-ball tour. This iteration of the ind vs south africa odi 2022 series carried a completely different context and set of motivations.

The series was positioned immediately before the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. Because India’s primary T20 squad had already flown to Australia early to acclimatize to the conditions, the BCCI named a secondary "B" squad for the ODIs. Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan was appointed captain, with Shreyas Iyer named as his vice-captain.

Conversely, South Africa was playing for survival. They desperately needed every single point in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League to secure automatic qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Consequently, they fielded their strongest, full-strength squad, making the contest highly intriguing.

The October 2022 Schedule and Venues

• 1st ODI: October 6, 2022 – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow (South Africa won by 9 runs)
• 2nd ODI: October 9, 2022 – JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi (India won by 7 wickets)
• 3rd ODI: October 11, 2022 – Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi (India won by 7 wickets)

The Squads: India vs South Africa ODI 2022 (October)

• India Squad: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar (who replaced the injured Deepak Chahar mid-series).
• South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj (vc), Quinton de Kock (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Match-by-Match Breakdown: October 2022

1st ODI: Lucknow (October 6, 2022)

Heavy rain in Lucknow delayed the start, forcing officials to reduce the match to 40 overs per side. India won the toss and elected to bowl on a pitch that offered plenty of moisture and movement early on.

The ind vs sa 1st odi 2022 playing 11:

• India XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (wk), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan.
• South Africa XI: Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Match Summary:

India's young bowling attack restricted South Africa’s top order well, but a massive 139-run unbeaten partnership between Heinrich Klaasen (74* off 65) and David Miller (75* off 63) propelled the Proteas to a robust 249/4 in their 40 overs.

India’s chase got off to a disastrous start. Both Dhawan and Gill were dismissed cheaply, and debutants Gaikwad and Kishan found it incredibly difficult to navigate the spin of Keshav Maharaj on a turning track. Shreyas Iyer launched a counter-attack with a rapid 50 off 37 balls, but it was Sanju Samson who played the innings of a lifetime. Samson formed a valiant 93-run partnership with Shardul Thakur (33) and kept India in the game until the very last ball. Needing 30 runs off the final over bowled by Tabraiz Shamsi, Samson smashed 20 runs but ran out of deliveries. India finished on 240/8, losing by an incredibly narrow margin of 9 runs. Samson remained unbeaten on a magnificent 86* off 63 balls.

2nd ODI: Ranchi (October 9, 2022)

With Deepak Chahar ruled out of the series due to back stiffness, Washington Sundar joined the Indian setup. Additionally, Shahbaz Ahmed made his international debut. South Africa’s regular captain, Temba Bavuma, was rested due to illness, and Keshav Maharaj led the visitors.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted a challenging 278/7, built around a solid 129-run partnership between Reeza Hendricks (74) and Aiden Markram (79). Mohammed Siraj was outstanding for India, picking up 3/38 in his 10 overs to restrict the Proteas in the death overs.

India’s chase of 279 looked in trouble when both open-set batsmen, Dhawan and Gill, were dismissed early, leaving India at 48/2. What followed was a spectacular exhibition of batting from local hero Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. Kishan was in a devastating mood, smashing 7 monstrous sixes in his 93 off 84 balls before falling agonizingly short of a century. Shreyas Iyer did not miss out, compiling a flawless, undefeated 113* off 111 deliveries. Alongside Sanju Samson (30*), Iyer took India home with 25 balls to spare, leveling the series 1-1.

3rd ODI: New Delhi (October 11, 2022)

With the series on the line, the decider in Delhi was highly anticipated. David Miller stood in as South Africa’s captain as both Bavuma and Maharaj were unavailable. Under overcast skies, Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and elected to bowl on a damp, spin-friendly surface at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

What followed was an absolute annihilation of the South African batting order. Washington Sundar got the ball rolling by removing Quinton de Kock. Mohammed Siraj then ripped through the top order, dismissing Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks. Once the spinners took over, the Proteas had no answers. Kuldeep Yadav was in mesmerizing form, taking 4 wickets for just 18 runs in 4.1 overs. Supported by Shahbaz Ahmed (2/32) and Sundar (2/15), India bowled South Africa out for just 99 runs in 27.1 overs—their lowest-ever ODI total against India.

India chased down the meager target of 100 with clinical ease. Shubman Gill played a fluent innings of 49 off 57 balls before being trapped LBW by Lungi Ngidi. Shreyas Iyer finished the match in style, launching Marco Jansen for a massive six to remain unbeaten on 28. India scored 105/3 in just 19.1 overs, winning the decider by 7 wickets and clinching the series 2-1. Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match, while Mohammed Siraj was crowned Player of the Series for his superb bowling across the three matches.

Performance Analysis: Key Takeaways

The two series played in 2022 showed how rapidly ODI cricket can change based on conditions, squad selection, and motivation. Let's analyze the key individual performers and tactical insights from these campaigns.

1. Shreyas Iyer’s Metamorphosis into an ODI Giant

If there was one player who defined India's ODI batting in 2022, it was Shreyas Iyer. Across the October series, Iyer was the highest run-scorer with 191 runs at an astonishing average of 191.00 and a strike rate of 111.69. His ability to spin strike in the middle overs and dominate both pace and spin made him India's premier number four batsman heading into the World Cup preparation phase.

2. The Finishing Prowess of Sanju Samson and Heinrich Klaasen

Both teams unearthed highly reliable middle-order engines in 2022. For South Africa, Heinrich Klaasen was sensational, finishing the October series with 138 runs. For India, Sanju Samson proved his finisher credentials. Across the three matches in October, Samson scored 118 runs and was dismissed only once. His heroic 86* in Lucknow proved that he had the maturity to handle pressure and take games deep.

3. Mohammed Siraj's New-Ball Mastery

Mohammed Siraj was the standout bowler of the October series, winning the Player of the Series award. In the absence of senior bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Siraj led the young bowling attack with great maturity. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl accurate, back-of-a-length deliveries in the powerplay was instrumental in keeping South Africa's aggressive top order quiet.

4. Kuldeep Yadav's Spin Resurgence

After a couple of difficult years, Kuldeep Yadav used the October 2022 series to re-establish himself as a match-winner in ODI cricket. His 4/18 in the Delhi decider was a masterclass in wrist-spin bowling, proving that when there is assistance in the pitch, he remains one of the most lethal bowlers in the world.

The Strategic Impact of the 2022 Series

Looking back, these two series had massive ramifications for both teams.

For South Africa, the 3-0 sweep in January was a high point, but their 1-2 loss in October was a severe blow to their ind vs sa odi 2022 predictions and their path to direct qualification for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. By dropping critical Super League points in India, the Proteas were forced to play their remaining bilateral series under immense pressure to avoid the qualification playoffs.

For India, the year began with a disappointing clean sweep in Paarl and Cape Town, highlighting major gaps in the squad's middle-order depth and defensive bowling options. However, the October series was a resounding success for India's bench strength. Playing without virtually their entire first-choice playing XI, India's secondary squad defeated a full-strength South African side. This series proved the incredible depth of Indian cricket and solidified the ODI credentials of players like Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Shardul Thakur.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who won the IND vs SA ODI series in 2022?

There were actually two ODI series between India and South Africa in 2022. South Africa won the first series 3-0 on home soil in January. India won the second series 2-1 at home in October.

Who was the captain of India in the October 2022 ODI series?

Since India’s main squad had already traveled to Australia for the T20 World Cup, veteran opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan captained India in the October 2022 ODI series, with Shreyas Iyer serving as his vice-captain.

What was India’s playing 11 for the 1st ODI against South Africa in October 2022?

India's playing 11 for the rain-affected 1st ODI in Lucknow was: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson (wk), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, and Avesh Khan.

Who scored the most runs in the India vs South Africa October 2022 ODI series?

Shreyas Iyer was the leading run-scorer in the October series, accumulating 191 runs across three matches, including an unbeaten century (113*) in Ranchi.

What was South Africa’s lowest ODI score against India?

South Africa was bowled out for just 99 runs in 27.1 overs in the 3rd ODI in New Delhi on October 11, 2022. This is their lowest-ever ODI team total against India.

Conclusion

The dual ind vs sa 2022 odi series provided cricket fans with some of the most dramatic 50-over cricket of the modern era. From the blazing heat of Paarl to the monsoon rains of Lucknow and the spin-friendly track of New Delhi, both teams experienced the highs and lows of international cricket. While South Africa showcased their home dominance early in the year, India’s extraordinary squad depth stole the show in October. These contests not only entertained fans but also played a critical role in shaping the rosters and strategies of both teams for the subsequent 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.