India unveils strong 15-member squad for South Africa ODI series; KL Rahul named captain

Selection committee finalises India’s ODI squad for the three-match home series, ending weeks of speculation over leadership and senior players’ availability.

The Senior Men’s Selection Committee has announced a full-strength 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming IDFC First Bank ODI series against South Africa, putting an end to ongoing uncertainty around team composition and leadership. The series will be played on November 30 (Ranchi), December 3 (Raipur), and December 6 (Visakhapatnam).

The return of senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli headlines the squad announcement, as both rejoin the ODI setup after the Australia series. Questions over their availability had persisted for days, but the selection confirms their pivotal roles going forward. With Shubman Gill unavailable, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been chosen to open the innings alongside Rohit, strengthening India’s top order.

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A notable comeback comes in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who returns to the ODI team after 16 months following an impressive performance in the South Africa ‘A’ series. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma rejoins the ODI squad after nearly two years, rewarded for his consistent form and the impact he made during the Asia Cup.

The captaincy choice, widely debated in cricket circles, has been settled with KL Rahul being appointed skipper. Discussions had taken place around both Rahul and Rishabh Pant, but the committee opted for the more experienced Rahul to lead India in Gill’s absence. Pant also features in the squad as a wicketkeeper-batter.

🚨 NEWS 🚨#TeamIndia's squad for @IDFCFIRSTBank ODI series against South Africa announced.

More details ▶️https://t.co/0ETGclxAdL#INDvSApic.twitter.com/3cXnesNiQ5

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 23, 2025

India will field three spinners for the series, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav, providing depth across conditions. Jadeja returns after a short gap, while the other two retain their places.

Pace options include Harshit Rana, who continues to impress and keeps his spot after claiming seven wickets in the South Africa ‘A’ ODI games. Karnataka’s Prasidh Krishna also features, strengthening the medium-pace unit. With Hardik Pandya unfit, Nitish Kumar Reddy becomes the only fast-bowling all-rounder in the squad. Dhruv Jurel is part of the 15, though his chances of making the final XI remain uncertain.

The selectors have rested frontline pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, while left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel misses out.

 With the squad now locked in, attention shifts to the team management, which faces the next major challenge, finalising the playing XI for a high-stakes series.