Published: Nov 29, 2025, 02:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 29, 2025, 02:16 PM (IST)
The first match of the ODI series between India and South Africa will be played on Sunday, November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
However, Team India handles the charge of captaincy to star Indian player KL Rahul as former skipper Shubman Gill is not available. The series is also special as legendary players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are back in the squad.
After Shubman Gill’s unavailability, team India has two options for the opening spot. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the batters. However, Jaiswal is likely to get the chance over Gaikwad due to the ongoing performance.
Speaking at No.3 place. Despite having bad form in the two matches against Australia in the ODI series. Virat Kohli is still preferred as in the last game he smashed a remarkable fifty at Sydney Cricket Ground.
The big question is: who will bat at No.4 in the absence of star Indian player Shreyas Iyer due to an injury. There are two candidates for the spot, Rishabh Pant or Tilak Verma. Both players have not played any ODI for India in 2025. So, it will be a tough decision for the team to select one.
Moving on to the star Indian player and skipper of the team. KL Rahul will bat at No.5. Team India would most probably like to keep three all-rounders in the team Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. In the bowling department, Kuldeep Yadav might get a chance as he played one ODI in Australia. In the pace attack, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh will lead the fast bowling.
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.
