Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are back in the mix and will once again grab the headlines as the KL Rahul-led Indian team take on South Africa in the three-match ODI series starting on Sunday, November 30 in Ranchi. India are looking to get back to winning ways after a stinging Test series defeat to the Proteas.
The white-ball doyens are back after impressing in Australia – their return to international cricket after six months – but are they still on trial?
India now have a unique opportunity to put themselves on top while also offering opportunities to those who are considered as their backers. Injuries to designated captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer are setbacks, but they also give India a chance to properly test their strength on the bench in this series.
The first ODI will be played at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. The draw will be at 1:00 PM IST and play will start from 1:30 PM IST. Star Sports and JioStar will offer TV coverage on
While Rohit and Kohli exited T20Is after India’s triumphant 2024 World Cup run, their outputs from Test cricket were sudden and unpredictable. Both retired after the disastrous Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, but have decided to continue in their favorite format – the one they helped define.
Still, doubts remained whether the two could stay motivated in their late 30s and play only ODI cricket. Even before they took up guard in Australia, social media was rife with speculation about their futures, with some suggesting the pair could quit international cricket at the end of the ODI series.
However, they both silenced the chatter. Rohit’s renewed focus on fitness has borne rich fruit when he top-scored for India in Australia, he hit a century in the series finale and won Player of the Tournament. Kohli, after two early ducks, hit a composed fifty in the final ODI to keep the critics at bay. Rohit Sharma shed 10 kilograms ahead of his international comeback in October (PTI Photo)
Their class and experience is second to none, but it is no surprise that they will be closely watched in every series leading up to the 2027 World Cup. On the eve of the ODI in South Africa, a report even claimed that the BCCI and team management could meet after the series to discuss Rohit and Kohli’s future plans and India’s plan to adjust the reserves if needed.
After rediscovering their rhythm in the demanding Australian conditions, the pair will enjoy familiar surroundings at home. Ranchi in particular was one of Kohli’s favorite hunting grounds – he scored two hundreds in five ODIs there at an average of a stunning 194. Yes, you read that right.
RANCHI ODI, GAUGE AND CONDITIONS
A sporting wicket is expected in Ranchi where batsmen and bowlers will come into play. Historically, pacers have fared slightly better than spinners at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi.
Dew is expected to play a role in the evening as the chasing teams have won three of their five matches in Ranchi.
Both KL Rahul and South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince said they expected dew on the day of the match.
“Our homework tells us that a lot of dew is expected. If teams win the toss, they tend to prefer to chase. But if you get a good pitch and post a massive score, it can affect the chasing team as they feel they have to start at a high pace and that’s when you can lose wickets. Batting first, we’ll need to post impressive scores to apply pressure on Saturday.”
The weather is expected to be perfect for the day and night game in MS Dhoni’s hometown.
IND vs AUS, 1st ODI TEAM NEWS
Coach Gautam Gambhir watches closely as Ruturaj Gaikwad trains in Ranchi (PTI Photo)
With Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer ruled out, India have a valuable chance to test their strength on the bench. Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to partner Rohit Sharma at the top while Virat Kohli is at No.3. The middle order remains fluid, with the 4th and 5th positions open as KL Rahul confirmed that he will continue as the runner-up at No.6.
India can turn to Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rishabh Pant, although accommodating both might mean sacrificing bowling options.
Also read: IND vs SA, 1st ODI Predicted Playing XI
With the team management favoring all-rounders, options like Tilak Varma may have to wait, while India will also consider Washington Sundar versus Nitish Reddy, with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav likely to be assured.
India also have a young pace unit consisting of Arshdep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were rested.
Meanwhile, South Africa have arrived at almost full strength, missing only Kagiso Rabada. Quinton de Kock is expected to start Ryan Rickelton, with Aiden Markram likely to move to No.3 and Matthew Breetzke potentially to move to No.5.
A strong lower middle order with Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch gives them depth while Keshav Maharaj should lead the spin attack. With Markram offering part-time off-spin, South Africa can even afford the luxury of four fast bowlers, including Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.
WHAT THE TWO CAMPS SAID
“Taking singles is as important as hitting boundaries in ODI and Test cricket. Maybe not so much in the T20 format. That’s something Virat has done so well in his career. That’s something we’ve seen in Virat and tried to learn from it.” – KL Rahul.
“No, I wouldn’t say it’s extra pressure. With the South Africans touring India, it’s always exciting. With those two names in the squad, we’re expecting a full house and that’s exciting. We’re trying to focus on what damage we can do to the opposition, not how they can hurt us. They’re world-class, they’re dangerous, but we’re focusing on our strengths and how we impose our game.” South African batting coach Prince on Ro-Ko threat.
1. ODI: STATS TO WATCH
- Rohit Sharma needs just 98 runs to become the fourth Indian after Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid to reach 20,000 international runs.
- Rohit needs three more sixes to overtake Shahid Afridi (351) to become the leading six-hitter in ODI cricket.
- Jadeja needs 10 wickets to overtake Anil Kumble (126) to become India’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs at home.
- Virat Kohli has been the leading run-getter in singles in ODIs since 2000.
- Ranchi will host ODIs for the seventh time and for the first time since the meeting between India and South Africa in October 2022.
1st ODI Prediction, IND vs SA: Who will win?
South Africa have arrived in India with an all-round team and will be high on confidence after winning the Test series. But India have what it takes to win the series even if they are missing some of their familiar faces.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
November 30, 2025
