BCCI to Decide Captain for India’s ODI Series Against South Africa

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is scheduled to convene a selection meeting on Sunday, November 23, in Mumbai to finalise the white-ball squads for the upcoming series against South Africa. According to sources, K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the leading candidates to take on the role of captain for the One Day International (ODI) team, suggesting that Rohit Sharma is unlikely to return to the captaincy.

Rishabh Pant has shown impressive form in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) since his return to cricket, although his limited recent experience in ODIs could influence the selectors’ final decision. Pant's last appearance in an ODI match was in August 2024 against Sri Lanka at the RPS Stadium in Colombo.

Shubman Gill is expected to be excluded from the squad due to a neck injury he sustained on the second day of the Test match in Kolkata. This injury has also prevented him from participating in the second Test held in Guwahati. In Gill's absence, Pant is currently serving as captain for the ongoing Test match. The injury occurred during the first Test, after which Gill did not bat in the second innings.

Sources have indicated that the Indian management is cautious regarding Shubman Gill's fitness, especially given the demanding international schedule ahead. It is believed that the team is prioritising his recovery to ensure he is fully fit for future matches.

Performance as Captain

K.L. Rahul, aged 33, has led the Indian team in 12 ODIs and one T20I, securing victories in nine of those matches. In his ODI captaincy, Rahul has accumulated 302 runs at an average of 33.55, with a strike rate of 82.28, including four half-centuries and a highest score of 58 not out. In contrast, Pant has captained India in five T20I matches but has yet to assume the captaincy in the ODI format.

Following the conclusion of the Test match in Guwahati, India will commence their white-ball campaign against South Africa, starting with an ODI series from December 3 to 6. This series will feature matches in Ranchi, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam. Subsequently, a five-match T20I series is scheduled to begin on December 9, with games to be held in Cuttack, Mullanpur, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.