KL Rahul will captain the Indian team in the ODI series against South Africa. According to a media report, Rahul has confirmed that he will bat at number 6 in the upcoming ODI series. Let us tell you that the regular captain of the ODI team, Shubman Gill is not a part of this series due to injury. In such a situation, the opening slot had become vacant, but Rahul says that he will bat at sixth position in the ODI team like before.

KL Rahul was earlier seen batting at the sixth position in the ODI series against Australia and before that also in the Champions Trophy 2025. According to RevSportz, KL Rahul said, “I will bat in the same order, at number 6. We will try to play spin bowling better.”

KL Rahul opens in Test matches, but in ODI matches he has established himself well in the middle order. At number six, Rahul’s ODI average is more than 40. However, he has not been able to score even a single fifty or century in this sequence.

Rohit-Jaiswal will open

It has not been confirmed yet, but in the absence of Shubman Gill, it is almost certain that Yashasvi Jaiswal will come to open with Rohit Sharma. Whereas number-3 is already with Virat Kohli. The absence of vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is also raising big questions regarding number-4. It is possible that Rishabh Pant will play in this order. Since Rahul has said that he will bat at number 6, there can be a place for Rituraj Gaikwad in the middle order.

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar can play 2 spin bowling all-rounders, while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana can handle the burden of fast bowling. Kuldeep Yadav can play the role of main spinner.

India’s ODI squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Verma, KL Rahul (captain), Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Rituraj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

Team India would now like to take revenge for the clean sweep in the Test series in the ODI series. The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa is to start from November 30. The first ODI match between the two teams will be played in Ranchi on Sunday. Regular captain Shubman Gill is not a part of this series due to neck injury. In his place, wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul has been given the captaincy. Know here what the playing eleven of Team India could be like in the first ODI.

Will either of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal get a chance?

Former captain Rohit Sharma is sure to open in the first ODI. However, who will be his partner? This is a great question. Actually, there are two contenders to open with Rohit. In such a situation, only one of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal will get a chance. Star batsman Virat Kohli is also certain to play at number three.

Tilak Verma or Rishabh Pant, who will replace Shreyas Iyer?

ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is also not a part of this series due to injury. In such a situation, Tilak Verma or Rishabh Pant can be seen playing in his place at number four. After this, captain KL Rahul’s play at number five is also confirmed. Nitish Kumar Reddy may get a chance in the ODI series in the role of Hardik Pandya.

Looking at the Ranchi pitch, Team India can field with 3 spinners. There are two all-rounders in it. Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav can be seen in action along with Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Whereas in fast bowling, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh can be seen in action. Including Nitish Reddy there will be a total of six bowling options.

India’s probable playing eleven in the first ODI against South Africa- Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad/Yashaswi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.