xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_62462" align="alignnone" width="580"] Proteas captain Faf du Plessis during the training session at the Kingsmead stadium on Wednesday. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Debasis Sen, Durban: Hosts South Africa are the favourites to go 1-0 up against India in the first ODI match of the series, according to bookmakers here. The first match of the six match ODI series to be played at the Kingsmead stadium is already a sold out. The six match ODI series is likely to be an evenly contest with bat and ball with both teams having the firepower to unsettle its opponents. Betting here in these parts are legal but unlike places like England and Australia, the entire betting is online. The local franchise i.e., the Dolphins is also sponsored by a betting agency Hollywood bets. The No 1-ranked South Africans and their visitors from the subcontinent, who are ranked second in the 50-over format of the game, will clash six times over the course of the next 16 days, having just completed a three-Test series in which the Proteas triumphed 2-1. India will have the added incentive of knowing they will grab the No 1 ODI spot should they win the series, making them the best team in the world in both the Test and ODI arena. The Proteas will have to overcome the setback of AB de Villiers having been ruled out for the first three matches with a finger injury. His place is likely to be taken by either Aiden Markram or Khaya Zondo. Leading SA bookies BET.co.za have installed Faf du Plessis' men as 13/20 favourites to go 1-0 up in the series, while Virat Kohli's side are on offer at 6/5. The first ball at Kingsmead is due to be bowled at 13:00, although rain has been forecast for most of the morning and early afternoon.