India hold edge in bilateral ODIs against South Africa: A statistical preview

South Africa hope to build on their Twenty20 success in India by winning their first ever bilateral one-day series in India. The ODI series starts on Sunday as Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni prepared to douse the fire around him. The Proteas made a solid start to their 10-week Indian tour by winning both the first two T20 internationals before Thursday’s final match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata was washed out. With four Tests looming in the last leg of the arduous tour, South Africa will be seeking to continue the momentum in the one-day series which opens at the Green Park in Kanpur. The tourists will have a new captain for the five internationals, with AB de Villiers taking over from T20 skipper Faf du Plessis. De Villiers will then make way for Hashim Amla in the Tests. South Africa will be strengthened by the return of pace spearheads Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, who were rested for the T20s to keep them fresh for the sterner tests ahead. Here’s a complete statistical preview of the upcoming ODI series:    India have an edge over South Africa in ODIs played at Indian soil, though not as much as South Africa have enjoyed over India in South Africa. However, delving further in to these figures reveals a very interesting trend. In matches on Indian soil which were played in some multi team events (World Cup for example), South Africa lead India by 4-3. However, in bilateral series India are ahead by 10-6. In fact South Africa are yet to beat India in a bilateral series in India. Their best result is a drawn (2-2) series in 2005-06.       One thing that can work in India’s favour though is their record at home. They have won 37 out of 49 ODIs played at home in last five years – a win-percentage of more than 75. And Green Park in Kanpur is a happy hunting ground for India as they have won 9 out of 12 ODIs played here. Among all grounds where India have played 10 or more ODIs, Kanpur is the second best for India after Gwalior. That South Africa will be playing an ODI for the first time at Kanpur should also work to India’s advantage.  With inputs from AFP