Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli return as India announce squad for ODI series against South Africa; KL Rahul named captain

On Sunday, the Senior Men’s Selection Committee announced India’s squad for the upcoming IDFC First Bank three-match ODI series, highlighting the return of several experienced players while also pushing for the inclusion of emerging talent in the team. This series is crucial in India’s white-ball calendar as the squad aims to increase depth, stability and continuity as they prepare for next year’s busy international schedule.

KL Rahul has been appointed captain and will also take on staff retention responsibilities, strengthening the management’s confidence in his experience and adaptability. This selection reflects the committee’s continued focus on a leadership group of multi-role cricketers who can adapt to different match scenarios.

The inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also provided a significant boost to both the top and middle order. Their inclusion is expected to bring stability and composure, especially against a tough opponent known for its pacey strategy.

Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal retains his place as the selectors are willing to give him a longer opportunity. The inclusion of Tilak Varma, who has shown promise in recent performances, further emphasizes India’s determination to develop left-handed middle-order options.

In the all-round category, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja provide balance, spin abilities and batting depth, while Kuldeep Yadav leads the return attack after a successful run of form.

The fast bowling squad has a mix of youth and experience. Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna return along with Harshit Rana, who is progressing rapidly through the ranks. The addition of Nitish Kumar Reddy brings both pace depth and lower-order power.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dhruv Jurel complete the squad by adding more batting and wicketkeeping options.

The series is expected to provide vital insights into India’s ODI roadmap, especially with many players making strong claims for long-term roles. Composed of a balanced mix of proven players and exciting young talent, the squad reflects a conscious move towards stability without sacrificing experimentation.

India’s Squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

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