Cape Town - The Proteas have decided to back Aiden Markram ahead of uncapped Khaya Zondo for the first ODI against India at Kingsmead.

READ: Proteas to win in Durban, say bookies

Markram looks set to earn his second ODI cap and will come in for the injured AB de Villiers in the line-up.

De Villiers sustained an injury to his right index finger during the third Test match against India and will require up to two weeks to make a full recovery.

The Proteas star batsman is hoping to recover in time for the fourth 'Pink' ODI at the Wanderers.

Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis revealed that Markram will slot in at the No 4 spot in the line-up.

"We will be giving Aiden an opportunity to come in for the injured AB de Villiers," Du Plessis said.

The 23-year-old Test opener made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in October last year, and is a bright prospect who has been earmarked for the future.

"We want him to bat in different places in our batting order, that is a great way for players to evolve their game and to bat in different situations in one-day cricket. That will be a nice learning curve for him and hopefully he will score good runs for us," said the Proteas skipper.

The first ODI between the Proteas and India in Durban starts on Thursday at 13:00.