India vs South Africa 1st ODI: KL Rahul, who will be leading the Indian team in the ODI series against South Africa, revealed that Rinku Singh will most likely make his ODI debut in the three-match series.
The series will kick off with the first matches scheduled to be played at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, December 17.
Rinku was the second-highest run-getter in the recently concluded T20I series as he scored 82 runs in two matches as the series ended with a result of 1-1.
With a few senior players not available in the ODI squad, the Men in Blue will be looking to provide the game time to the youngsters to give them exposure of the big stage.
"What has been good to see is the temperament and game awareness that he (Rinku) has shown in the T20I series. He has shown how good a player he has been. We have seen the calmness. That has been very refreshing for me to see as well on the television. He has performed really well across formats in first-class cricket. He will get his opportunity even in the ODI series," Rahul said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the 1st ODI.
Rahul also confirmed his role that he will be batting in the middle order besides fulfilling his wicket-keeping duties.
"I will be doing wicket-keeping & batting in the middle order in this ODI series. I am happy to take any role in the Test series that the captain, the coach, and the management want. Of course, even in T20, I want to play for my country," Rahul explained.
Sanju managed to get a place in the ODI squad after a long while but his place in the playing 11 for the first game remains uncertain.
"Sanju will bat in the middle order, that's the role he has always played in ODI cricket. He will bat at either 5 or 6. For now, I am going to keep the wickets in the series, but if there's an opportunity for Sanju to keep, he will do so at some point." Rahul said.
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With Rahul keeping the wickets, Sanju will have to be played as a pure batter which seems unlikely if they opt to include Rinku Singh in the lineup for the same role.
India's Squad for ODI series against South Africa
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w/c), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep