The Test series ended a few days ago, but that feeling didn’t leave the room. India’s 2-0 defeat to South Africa was not just a loss; it was a shock that reverberated long after the last goal had fallen. It lingered in post-match debates, in pent-up frustrations online and in the uncomfortable acknowledgment that the invincibility once associated with home soil had slipped.
Now comes the ODI series, not as a sequel, but as a reset button quietly placed in front of India. From November 30 in Ranchi, the format changes, the mood changes and perhaps the rhythm. India last played an ODI at home in February 2025 and swept England with confidence and clarity. That version of India looked composed. This version searches. With Shubman Gill ruled out after suffering neck spasms during the Tests, KL Rahul takes the reins at a time when leadership requires stability as much as courage.
South Africa, meanwhile, are coming with a different kind of energy, lighter, more confident and boosted by recent form. The return of Quinton de Kock in a blistering touch, coupled with the calm stewardship of Temba Bavuma, gives them a spine that mixes experience with the spark of players like Markram, Brevis, Rickelton and Breetzke. For a batting unit that has gained confidence, Ranchi, Raipur and Visakhapatnam feel like invitations to the stage.
And into this landscape enter two familiar characters who instantly change the mood: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their return will not only strengthen India but restore a sense of direction. Their head-to-head clash with de Kock and South Africa’s top order adds weight and anticipation to make the bilateral series feel bigger.
The Tests left India with questions. ODIs offer a space for answers. How they use it will determine the next chapter of this tour.
IND vs SA ODI Series: Complete squads
Indian ODI Team: KL Rahul (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Shna.
South Africa ODI Squad: Bavuume (C), Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Cock’s Quinton, Marco Jansen, Tony of Zorzi, Robin Hermann.
IND vs SA ODI Series: Venues & Fixtures
- 1st ODI – 30 November 2025 – JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
- 2nd ODI – 3rd December 2025 – Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
- 3rd ODI – 6th December 2025 – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Where to watch India vs South Africa ODI series
All India Vs ODI Series Matches South Africa will be telecast live on Star Sports Network via HD and SD channels. Live streaming will be available on JioCinema / Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
November 29, 2025
