South Africa will compete against hosts India in a three-match ODI series starting March 12. The last time the Proteas toured India for a bilateral ODI series was in 2015. The tourists won that series 3-2. South Africa, however, have lost eight of the 10 ODIs against India since then.
The Proteas, who have a relatively new head coach in former wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher, recently whitewashed Australia 3-0 in the 50-overs format at home. The Men in Blue, meanwhile, lost an ODI series to the Black Caps 3-0 in New Zealand.
“It was sort of a mixed summer before the new coaching staff took over. Obviously, they had a fantastic win against Australia in the ODI series, after losing the T20 series badly. So, I’m unsure,” Morkel was quoted as saying in Sportstar.
India will win 2-1 according to Morkel
“Even if a team is in top form, beating India in India is almost an impossible task. It’s going be a tough series for them, but I do expect them to at least compete. India will win it 2-1, but South Africa should compete, especially now that they have the confidence after the series against Australia,” Morkel added.
Overall, India and South Africa have met 84 times in ODIs with the Proteas having a 46-35 lead while three games ended without a result. India’s last series in the rainbow nation saw them winning a six-match series 5-1.
Morkel, who played one Test, 58 ODIs and 50 T20Is between 2004 and 2015, will be playing his first match in the Road Safety World Series on Wednesday when the South Africa Legends take on the West Indies Legends in Mumbai. They will then play two back-to-back games on March 13 (against Sri Lanka) and March 14 (vs India) before taking on Australia on March 19.
