KL Rahul is expected to lead Team India in the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa, starting November 30, as current ODI captain Shubman Gill remains unavailable due to a neck injury, a BCCI source confirmed.
Gill sustained the injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, where he was forced to retire hurt on Day 2 after facing just three balls. The 26-year-old was taken to the hospital soon after retiring hurt and continues to undergo medical evaluation. As he has not regained full fitness for the second Test, Gill has been moved to Mumbai for further assessment.
His absence leaves India without their appointed ODI captain for the series.
Compounding India’s concerns, Shreyas Iyer, who served as Gill’s deputy during the October ODI series against Australia, is also out of action. Iyer picked up an injury in the third ODI against Australia and has been sidelined since. With both Gill and Iyer unavailable, KL Rahul has emerged as the frontrunner to lead the squad.
Rahul brings strong experience and consistency to the side. The wicketkeeper-batter has scored 3092 runs in 88 ODIs at an impressive average of 48.31 and a strike rate of 88.41, including seven centuries and 18 fifties. In the recently concluded ODI series in Australia, Rahul managed 49 runs in two innings, averaging 24.50.
India’s ODI series against South Africa will begin in Ranchi on November 30, followed by matches in Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam (Vizag) on December 6. The series is also significant as it marks the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket in home conditions.
With Gill recovering and Iyer unavailable, the upcoming series will test India’s depth while offering Rahul another opportunity to lead the national side.