New Delhi:KL Rahul has been appointed the stand-in captain for India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa after regular skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer were ruled out due to injuries. Rahul, who also serves as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the 50-over format, returns to leadership duties at a crucial time as India rotate players following a packed calendar.
India have recalled Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad to strengthen the squad after the tour of Australia, while Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj have been left out for the series.
Gill, recently appointed India’s ODI captain before the Australia tour, is currently undergoing medical assessment in Mumbai for a neck injury sustained during the opening Test against South Africa. The 26-year-old had to retire hurt in the first innings and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the Test series, with Pant taking charge.
Despite Pant’s return to the ODI squad, Dhruv Jurel has been retained, giving India an additional wicketkeeping option. Axar Patel, however, misses out following the comeback of senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
The 15-member Indian squad features a solid batting core of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma and Gaikwad. Jaiswal, who has only one ODI appearance so far, could have a chance to cement his spot.
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, who continues to be unavailable, Nitish Kumar Reddy keeps his place. India will field only three frontline pacers—Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna—with senior fast bowlers Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah rested following the Test schedule. The spin attack will be handled by Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.
India’s ODI Squad vs South Africa
KL Rahul (c/wk), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel
The ODI series begins on November 30 in Ranchi, followed by matches in Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam on December 6. The two sides will then move on to a five-match T20I series.
