Post by : Maya Rahman

In a significant shift for the Indian cricket team, KL Rahul has been appointed as captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. This decision comes as regular skipper Shubman Gill is sidelined due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test match in Kolkata, ruling him out of ODI participation. The selectors have opted for Rahul's leadership solely for this limited series, which focuses on the three matches ahead.

According to sources within the board, this captaincy role is temporary and will only last for these matches. Although Rishabh Pant is often a candidate for captaincy, he has not been considered for this series due to his limited ODI activity over the past year. It is anticipated that Gill will recover in time for India’s next ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026. The series against South Africa kicks off on November 30 in Ranchi, with additional matches scheduled in Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam on December 6.

A notable return to the squad is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been absent from white-ball cricket for nearly eight months. After last featuring in an ODI during the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, Jadeja has been brought back as Axar Patel is being rested. He contributed to India's strong spin lineup in the recent Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens.

As part of a strategy for managing player workloads, some senior cricketers will not participate in this ODI series. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has been active in numerous matches recently, including Tests and T20Is, is being rested. Similarly, Mohammed Siraj is rested following challenging Test matches in Kolkata and Guwahati. Axar Patel, who was involved in a white-ball series against Australia, will also miss these matches, ensuring the players remain healthy for future competitions.

This series also presents an opportunity for young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to shine in ODI cricket. Although part of the squad against Australia, Jaiswal did not play and may now partner with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Virat Kohli is included, continuing his ODI career after retiring from Tests and T20Is, much to the fans' delight as they look forward to another Rohit-Kohli combination.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has earned a call-up to the ODI setup after impressive performances in the unofficial ODI series against South Africa A, where he scored 117, 68*, and 25 across three matches. With Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer recovering from injuries, Gaikwad’s selection could be crucial in this series for proving his capabilities in the 50-over game.

With senior players taking a backseat, India’s pace attack will be spearheaded by emerging bowlers like Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. The spin department will feature Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Jadeja, ensuring a well-rounded bowling strategy adaptable to varying pitch conditions.

The full roster for India’s ODI series includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (captain & wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Dhruv Jurel.

This ODI series presents a critical testing ground for India as they blend seasoned players with new talent. With Rahul at the helm and Jadeja returning, the team aspires to excel even in the absence of key players like Gill, Bumrah, and Siraj. Fans are keen to witness how this revamped squad performs against South Africa.

#Sports News