KL Rahul will captain India’s ODI side as the selectors named a 15-member squad for the three-match series against South Africa beginning November 30 in Ranchi. Rahul, who last led India in December 2023 on the previous tour of South Africa, has been handed back the reins as injuries to key players forced a rejig ahead of the high-profile assignment.Shubman Gill, originally set to lead the ODI unit, has been ruled out with a neck issue that has turned out to be more complex than initially expected. Gill’s discomfort, first felt while batting during the opening Test in Kolkata, was thought to be minor, but follow-up scans in Mumbai have indicated possible muscular or nerve involvement. With his recovery timeline uncertain and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also sidelined due to a rib injury suffered in Australia, the selectors turned to Rahul as the stop-gap leader.India’s squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma. Rishabh Pant joins Rahul as the second wicketkeeper. The all-rounders include Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, while the spin attack is led by Kuldeep Yadav. The pace unit comprises Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dhruv Jurel round out the squad.India ODI squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (capt & wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.Meanwhile, South Africa have also announced their squads for the ODI and T20I legs of the tour. Star pacer Anrich Nortje returns to the T20I setup after a long injury layoff, while Aiden Markram resumes captaincy duties. The ODI outfit, led by Temba Bavuma, continues its build-up towards the 2027 World Cup.
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