KL Rahul to Lead India in ODI Series Against South Africa as Gill Recovers from Injury

New Delhi – KL Rahul has been named captain of the Indian men’s cricket team for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against South Africa, with regular skipper Shubman Gill unavailable due to a neck injury sustained earlier this month.

Gill suffered the injury while batting in the first Test in Kolkata, and the issue forced him to miss the second Test as well, leading team management to extend his recovery period to ensure full fitness before his return to international cricket.

The decision to hand over the ODI captaincy to Rahul provides continuity and experience, as he has led India in limited-overs cricket on several previous occasions, showing a calm approach and tactical awareness during high-pressure situations.

Rishabh Pant, who stepped in as captain during Gill’s absence in the Test format, has also been included in the ODI squad, marking an important return to the 50-over format after more than a year away from the international stage.

Pant’s last ODI appearance came in August 2024, and his comeback will be closely watched, as he continues to rebuild his form, fitness and match rhythm across multiple formats following setbacks earlier in his career.

The team announcement also brought positive news for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who earned his place back in the ODI squad after a strong run representing India A, where he scored both a century and a half-century earlier this month.

Gaikwad’s consistency, timing and ability to anchor an innings were highlighted during his India A performances, reinforcing his case for selection as India seeks depth in its top-order batting ahead of a busy cricket calendar.

The ODI series, scheduled from November 30 to December 6, will serve as an important opportunity for India to test combinations, strengthen squad balance and assess player form before shifting its focus to the five-match T20I series that follows.

Team management is expected to rotate players strategically during the tour, ensuring that key performers maintain workload balance while younger squad members gain valuable exposure in challenging South African conditions.

The squad features a blend of established senior players, rising talents and specialists across batting, bowling and all-round roles, demonstrating India’s emphasis on flexibility and multi-skill depth in the 50-over format.

Veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retain their places in the ODI setup, bringing leadership and experience, while younger players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma will look to strengthen their presence in white-ball cricket.

The all-round capabilities of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja add balance to the team composition, offering spin depth, lower-order resilience and valuable experience playing in overseas conditions.

In the bowling department, India has opted for a mix of pace and spin, with Kuldeep Yadav providing wrist-spin variety and options like Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana offering different seam bowling strengths.

The selection of Dhruv Jurel further indicates India’s focus on grooming multi-role cricketers capable of performing across formats, particularly as backup wicketkeeping options remain a central part of long-term planning.

Team analysts and coaches believe the South Africa tour will provide meaningful insights into India’s ODI preparedness, especially as the team looks ahead to future global tournaments where conditions and opposition strategies vary widely.

As Gill continues his rehabilitation, medical staff remain confident in his progress, stressing that the decision to rest him is precautionary and aimed at ensuring he returns at full strength for upcoming assignments.

The tour is expected to attract significant attention from fans, as India experiments with its lineup while maintaining competitiveness, leadership stability and a renewed focus on building a stronger ODI unit.

India ODI Squad: KL Rahul (C), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.