Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 23: Senior wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has been appointed captain of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa, starting November 30. The series also marks the return of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad to the 50-over setup.
With Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer unavailable due to neck and spleen injuries, respectively, the captaincy decision came down to Rahul and Pant. Sources confirmed that Rahul’s status as a first-choice ODI player secured him the nod ahead of Pant, who is currently leading India in the ongoing second Test in Guwahati. Rahul has previously captained India in 12 ODIs between 2022 and 2023, including a 2-1 series win over South Africa in 2023.
Pant returns to the ODI squad after missing the series against Australia last month due to a fractured right foot. With Gill unavailable, Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to open alongside Rohit Sharma, though Gaikwad, fresh off a century and half-century in a series against South Africa ‘A’, could challenge for a spot.
Left-handed batter Tilak Varma also returns after his last ODI in December 2023, while Dhruv Jurel retains his position. The batting order in Iyer’s absence remains flexible, with Rahul, Pant, and Varma all possible candidates for the crucial No. 4 slot.
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, left out of India’s ODI series in Australia, replaces Axar Patel for this series. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested, leaving Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and seam-bowling all-rounders Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy as the fast-bowling options. Hardik Pandya is also undergoing rehabilitation for a quadriceps injury.
The three ODIs will be held in Ranchi (Nov 30), Raipur (Dec 3), and Visakhapatnam (Dec 6).
India ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (captain & wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.