With regular skipper Shubman Gill unavailable, the Indian selectors have turned to experienced batter KL Rahul to lead the team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. KL Rahul was chosen ahead of Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant for the role.
The squad for the ODI leg of the tour has now been announced, and the series will begin right after the Test matches wrap up in Guwahati. The first ODI is set for November 30.
Shubman Gill, who is also missing the Test series due to a neck spasm he suffered during the opening match at Eden Gardens, remains unavailable. ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is out as well because of the laceration injury he picked up in Australia. With two key players missing, India had to rethink their leadership plans quickly.
Why KL Rahul Was Picked Over Rishabh Pant
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli no longer in the leadership conversation, KL Rahul stands out as one of the most senior and dependable players in the current squad. That made him the natural choice once Shubman Gill was ruled out.
The team management expects Gill to return for the next white-ball series against New Zealand, so KL Rahul’s appointment is only meant for this ODI series.
A BCCI source explained the situation, saying, “KL Rahul’s captaincy is a one-off and should be seen in isolation. Rishabh (Pant) wasn’t considered, as he has played only one ODI game in the last one year. The selectors expect that Shubman Gill’s neck injury will heal and he will be back against New Zealand (3 ODIs in January 2026).”
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma Return to the ODI Setup
Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of the most promising young batters in the country, is set to make a comeback in ODIs. He recently played in the unofficial ODI series against South Africa A, where he put up scores of 117, 68 not out, and 25. His strong form earned him a spot in the absence of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is also likely to receive his long-awaited chance in the fifty-over format, and he may open the innings alongside former captain Rohit Sharma while Gill recovers.
In the middle order, Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to compete with regulars like Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma, who have both been steady choices for India in white-ball cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja Set for White-Ball Comeback
Ravindra Jadeja is preparing for his first appearance in white-ball cricket since the ICC Champions Trophy final. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been held back for Tests and T20Is as India prepares for next year’s T20 World Cup.
With Ravindra Jadeja returning, Axar Patel has been given a break from the ODI squad to manage his workload, as he has been playing regularly across formats. Hardik Pandya remains unavailable due to injury, and Mohammed Siraj has been rested once again.
ALSO READ: Double Health Scare For Smriti Mandhana As Father And Fiancé Rush To Hospital
