As the first ODI proceedings began in Ranchi, Aiden Markram and KL Rahul, the two skippers, went to the middle for the toss. Temba Bavuma, the South African skipper, is not playing the game, as he has been rested for the first ODI.
India and South Africa began their ODI campaign with the first match at the JSCA Cricket Stadium in Ranchi. This is KL Rahul’s 13th match as India’s stand-in captain, as he has led in 12 matches and won 8 of them.
After the first ODI in Ranchi, India and South Africa will travel to Raipur and then Vishakhapatnam for the remaining two matches of the tour. They will then have a T20I series starting December 9.
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Why is Temba Bavuma not playing in Ranchi ODI? – Revealed
With both captains called up for the toss, South Africa’s Aiden Markram made his way to the middle alongside Indian skipper KL Rahul, who was named as Shubman Gill’s replacement in the series.
Bavuma has been rested for this match, as informed by stand-in skipper Aiden Markram. He also informed that Keshav Maharaj was also rested and Prenelan Subrayen was picked as the only player in the squad.
However, India suffered another major upset as they lost their 19th consecutive toss in ODI cricket. Markram chose to bowl first and said the evening dew would make batting easier.
South Africa plays XI: Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger and Ottneil Baartman.
India replaced Shreyas Iyer with Ruturaj Gaikwad
India replaced Shreyas Iyer, the vice-captain, with Maharashtra skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who showed convincing form in the unofficial ODI matches against South Africa A. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a half-century and a superb hundred and finished as player of the series.
Shreyas suffered a laceration and was ruled out for the next four months. Therefore, if Gaikwad can look promising in no. 4 place in the ODI format, so he is likely to play for India in the long run.
Rishabh Pant was snubbed on his ODI return
India have named Rishabh Pant in their squad for the ODI series against South Africa. With Axar Patel’s absence from the Indian team, it was considered that he might finally make a comeback to ODI cricket after his last appearance in Sri Lanka’s ODIs in 2024.
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