Every new white-ball cycle brings Sunday with it an opportunity, not merely for teams to correct what went wrong previously, but to rediscover what made them good in the first place.

As India step out for the first ODI against South Africa, that opportunity presents itself quite clearly. The Test defeat is behind them, the focus now on restoring rhythm and identity in a format where they have often found their stride early.

What stands out about this India side is the quiet sense of balance. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring the familiar calm of experience, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad add the enthusiasm and strokeplay that belong to the next generation.

KL Rahul's stewardship has been measured, and in ODIs he seems to enjoy the clarity the role offers him. The likes of Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar represent India's long-term thinking: not flashy, but dependable, and exactly the sort of cricketers who help build a cycle, not just a series.

The bowling group has its own story. Arshdeep Singh has grown with every outing, and Harshit Rana, if given the new ball, has the heart and pace that remind you of young quicks eager to make a mark in home conditions.

Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav form a spin pair that has bailed India out more often than they are credited for, especially in middle overs where the game is often quietly tilted.

South Africa, meanwhile, are in a phase India themselves went through some years ago, a phase where potential exists, but consistency is still being chased. They miss Kagiso Rabada, and that absence will be felt deeply on pitches like Ranchi that reward disciplined seamers.

But Quinton de Kock's experience, Matthew Breetzke's recent form, and Temba Bavuma's patience provide them a spine. Their middle order, with Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi, carries promise but not yet proof. This tour, therefore, is as much an investment as it is a contest.

Ranchi itself has a reputation for balance. You get a bit of bounce early on, enough turn later, and if the batsmen apply themselves, a score of 280–300 rarely looks out of reach. It is the sort of wicket that demands discipline rather than bravado, something old-timers cherish. Chasing has worked well here, and both captains will know that history.

India, having won three of the five ODIs at this venue, will feel they hold the edge. More importantly, they appear the more settled outfit, not just on paper, but in the way their roles are defined and understood. South Africa are building, India are beginning again, and beginnings often carry more purpose than transitions.

The Men in Blue start favourites, not because of numbers or betting charts, but because they seem clearer about who they are and what they intend to become over the next two years. If they play to that clarity, Ranchi could well mark the first confident step in India's run-up to another World Cup cycle.

Teams

India: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep

SA: Temba Bavuma, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi