Team India will have to look at several selection puzzles ahead of the first ODI match against South Africa, where stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make their return to the format`s setup.
Considering that the duo is actively playing just one format, the series will contest will serve as a preparatory series for the ODI World Cup 2027.
The performance in these games could have a direct bearing on their prospects for the 2027 ODI World Cup. It may not seal their 2027 World Cup destinies, but it begins a high-stakes audition, one that could either extend two legendary careers or nudge them closer to an inevitable sunset.
The first ODI match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Jharkhand, a venue where Rohit in 2013 was backed for the first time as a full-time opening batsman.
More than a decade later, the 37-year-old walks into Ranchi again, this time seeking a different kind of revival as India attempt to rebuild after losing the home Test series.
Additionally, lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been provided rest, and Shubman Gill is still recovering from the neck injury that he sustained during the first Test match against the Proteas. Also, Shreyas Iyer is in the recovery process after his rib injury.
In the absence of Gill, the “Men in Blue” will enter the series under the leadership of KL Rahul.
It will be interesting to see if the hosts under Rahul`s captaincy manage to bounce back after suffering a Test series defeat against the Temba Bavuma-led side.
IND vs SA ODIs: Full squads
India`s 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.
South Africa`s squad: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen.
(With PTI Inputs)
