South Africa’s rising star, Marco Jansen, has emerged as a prominent all-rounder to keep an eye on as the Proteas gear up for a three-match ODI series against India. The 25-year-old left-arm seamer showcased his prowess with both bat and ball during the recent Test series in India, where he clinched 12 wickets and played a crucial innings of 93 runs off 91 balls in the second Test match.
With the upcoming ODI series on the horizon, South Africa will be looking to secure their first ODI series victory on Indian soil since their triumph in 2015/16. However, their last tour to India in 2022/23 ended in a 1-2 defeat, making the upcoming series even more crucial for the Proteas.
Comparing Marco Jansen’s performance with that of Hardik Pandya after 29 ODIs, Jansen has displayed promising stats. In his 29 ODIs, he has claimed 45 wickets and scored 464 runs, while Pandya managed 31 wickets and 584 runs in his initial 29 ODIs.
When it comes to averages and strike rates, Jansen holds an average of 24.42 with the bat and 32.48 with the ball, along with strike rates of 38.2 and 106.42, respectively. On the other hand, Pandya maintained averages of 36.50 with the bat and 35.96 with the ball, with strike rates of 38.3 and 110.89.
In terms of standout performances, Jansen has recorded one five-wicket haul in his 29 ODIs, with a best of 5/39 against Australia in 2023. His highest score of 75 came against England in 2023, marking his sole half-century in his career so far. In comparison, Pandya’s best figures of 3/31 and highest score of 83 against Australia in 2017 reflect his early impact in the format, with four half-centuries to his name after 29 ODIs.
When it comes to contributing in winning causes, Jansen has played a role in 16 out of 29 victories for South Africa, taking 29 wickets and scoring 299 runs. Meanwhile, Pandya has been part of 20 wins out of his first 29 ODIs for India, bagging 22 wickets and accumulating 321 runs.
Looking ahead, Marco Jansen shows immense potential to surpass Hardik Pandya’s career stats with consistent performance and fitness. With 1,904 runs and 91 wickets in 94 ODIs, Pandya’s absence in the upcoming series due to injury opens up opportunities for Jansen to further establish himself as a key all-rounder for South Africa. It will be interesting to see how Jansen’s career progresses and if he can outshine Pandya in the 50-over format in the years to come.
In conclusion, Marco Jansen’s journey as an all-rounder in international cricket is off to an impressive start, and he has the talent and potential to reach greater heights in the ODI format. As he continues to hone his skills and make significant contributions to the Proteas, the cricketing world eagerly awaits his future performances on the field.
