• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

IND vs SA: Star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has finally returned to the national side. Hailing from Maharashtra, the youngster, who is the skipper of Chennai Super Kings in IPL, is a part of India's ODI team for the three-match series against South Africa, which will be held in Ranchi from Sunday. Gaikwad last played in this format in December 2023 against the same opponent, as the senior batters were given some rest before the Test series, last played for India in T20Is against Zimbabwe in July last year.

Before the series opener in Ranchi, Gaikwad admitted that he is excited for this series. The BCCI took to their official X account and shared a video and said, “It’s good to be back in blue, and I’m really looking forward to again playing for Team India."

Watch the video here:

Gaikwad might be a part of the ODI team, but there's no certainty as to whether he will be in India's playing XI at least as an opener. Yashasvi Jaiswal is the other batter who is in contention, and the youngster might open the innings along with Rohit Sharma, who also made his debut in this format earlier this year against England, where he scored 15 runs.

Also Read: WPL 2026: MI To Lock Horns With RCB In Blockbuster Season Opener As BCCI Reveals Full Schedule

Gaikwad, who was picked on the back of his brilliant performance in the three-match unofficial ODI series against South Africa A, might play as No.4 batter in Shreyas Iyer's absence.

Tilak Varma and Rishabh Pant are the other two batters who can replace Iyer at the No.4 position, but Gaikwad has been in sublime form, and the team management might send him to bat at the No.4 position.

Also Read: From Most Sixes In ODIs To Most 100s As Opener In International Cricket: List Of Records Rohit Sharma Might Break In 1st ODI

KL Rahul to lead India

KL Rahul will be leading the team in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Rahul, who is also the team's preferred wicketkeeper in this format, last led a team in the three-match ODI series against the same opponent in December 2023, where they won the series by 2-1.

Also In News