Before the first ODI against South Africa, Team India’s acting captain KL Rahul has given a big statement on experienced batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Rahul said the experienced pair brings confidence and stability to the dressing room and added that the focus now is on winning matches for the team.
India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa will be the first home appearance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli since the England ODI in February 2025. The series will begin on Sunday, November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi and all eyes will be on the performance of the senior pair.
They make the dressing room feel more confident – KL Rahul on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
KL Rahul said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring positivity and confidence in the dressing room. He said the team is trying to move on from last week’s disappointment, especially after India’s poor Test performance in South Africa, where they lost both matches.
“His importance at any point is huge. He makes the dressing room feel more confident. Winning is the most important thing. We are trying to forget what happened a week ago,” Rahul said in the pre-match press conference.
This is something that Virat Kohli has done very well in his career – KL Rahul
KL Rahul said that Virat Kohli’s experience will be important in the upcoming ODI series. He said Kohli has the ability to rotate the strike and build innings, calling him a master of the ODI format. Rahul said that the dressing room often learns from Kohli’s approach.
Rahul said, “Taking singles is as important as hitting boundaries. This is something that Virat has done very well in his career. In the dressing room we talk to him about how to improve. He is a master of ODI cricket. It is good to have him back in the dressing room.”
India will start ODI series against South Africa without key players; KL Rahul became captain
India will be without many key players in the ODI series against South Africa. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have been ruled out due to injuries, while fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested after a tough Test series.
KL Rahul has been made the acting captain and Ruturaj Gaikwad has returned to the ODI team after two years. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will enter the series after playing three ODI matches in Australia last month.
India lost that series 1–2, but Rohit scored 202 runs in three matches, including a match-winning, unbeaten century in the final ODI. Kohli had a bad start as he was out on zero twice but in the last match he finished on a high note by scoring an unbeaten 74 runs. Rohit was also named Player of the Series against Australia.
The remaining two matches of the ODI series will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur and the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 3 and 6 respectively.
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