Big News: KL Rahul to lead Rohit-Kohli-less India's ODI squad with surprise entries, seasoned-batter, star pacer return to fold

Abhijeet Kumar Singh

UPDATED:Nov 30, 2023 20:21 IST

India's star batter KL Rahul in action in this frame.

Highlights:

KL Rahul will be seen captaining the Indian side for the ODI series against South Africa.

India and South Africa will be playing a three-match ODI series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's 16-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa which is slated to kick off from December 17. KL Rahul has been given the onus to lead the Men in Blue's pack in absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma while veteran batter Sanju Samson and star pacer Deepak Chahar finally made a comeback to India's fold. But what caught everyone's attention was Virat Kohli and Rohit's absence from India's ODI squad. Rohit and Kohli won’t be traveling for the white-ball series as they requested for rest from the board.

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Recently in the just-concluded ODI World Cup, Rahul was appointed India's vice captain after Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury. With Pandya likely to be out of action for good 8–10 weeks, Rahul has been given the responsibility lead India's ODI squad for series against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, the team's leading run-scorer in 2023, will partner with Ishan Kishan at the top of the order. The middle-order is a blend of experience and talent, featuring Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav, all of whom have delivered impactful performances recently.

For wicketkeeping duties, Rahul and Sanju Samson will share the responsibility. Rahul has maintained an impressive average of over 64 in ODIs this year. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel will fill the all-rounder slots. With a blend of youth and experience, the Indian ODI squad will look to continue their impressive form against a formidable South African side.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will lead India's spin attack in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. Notably, Kuldeep have claimed 45 wickets in 25 ODIs this year, making him the team's leading wicket-taker. His impressive performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 further cements his position as a crucial member of the side.

Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Deepak Chahar will form the makeshift pace attack for the Indian team. This group of talented fast bowlers will look to fill the void left by the absence of senior pacers.

In the previous ODI series in South Africa, the Indian team suffered a whitewash at the hands of the Proteas side.

India’s squad for 3 ODIs: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C)(wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar.