New Delhi: The opening ODI of the three-match series between India and South Africa is scheduled to be held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. With Shubman Gill unavailability, KL Rahul is all set to lead the side, which also includes experienced like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In Gill’s absence, India can choose between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad as openers, and Jaiswal is likely to be preferred over the Chennai Super Kings captain for the first match.
Jaiswal has represented India in just one ODI so far, he was also part of India’s 15-member ODI squad in Australia as well but didn’t get an opportunity to be part of the playing XI.
Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma at No.4 ?
Virat Kohli who scored two back-to-back ducks in the Australia ODI series with two ducks before returning to form with an unbeaten fifty in the third match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, will continue to bat at his regular No.3 spot. The real question is who will fill the No.4 role in Shreyas Iyer’s absence, with Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma both in contention. Notably, meanwhile neither Pant or Tilak has featured in an ODI for India in 2025
Since captain KL Rahul is India’s preferred wicketkeeper in ODIs, the team management might look at picking specialist batter Tilak Varma for the No. 4 slot. The left-hander from Hyderabad also led India A in the recently finished three unofficial ODIs against South Africa A.
India could opt for three all-rounders
Rahul is expected to come in at No. 5, while Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are likely to be the three all-rounders in India’s playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav, who featured in just one ODI in Australia, might play all three games against South Africa. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack.
Prasidh Krishna has also been picked in India’s 15-member squad, but it is very unlikely that the Karnataka pacer will be chosen ahead of Rana and Arshdeep.
India’s likely playing XI for the 1st ODI against South Africa: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C & WK), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
