IND vs SA: Why KL Rahul is named India captain for the ODI series?
Ahead of the three-match One-Day International series against South Africa, India announced a 15-member squad with KL Rahul appointed as captain. The decision came after regular skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer were ruled out due to injuries, forcing the selectors to rethink their leadership options. While many fans and analysts expected Rishabh Pant to be the natural choice to step in as captain, given his growing stature and leadership experience in other formats, the selection committee took a different route. Contrary to widespread predictions, the selectors opted for Rahul, explaining that his consistent presence in the ODI setup made him the more reliable option.
KL Rahul named India captain for the IND vs SA three-match ODI series
KL Rahul has featured regularly in the format throughout the year, offering stability both as a senior batter and as a calm presence on the field. In comparison, Rishabh Pant has played just one ODI in 2024, which significantly reduced his chances of being handed the captaincy. The committee felt that leadership should come from someone deeply involved in the format’s recent rhythm and demands. As a result, Pant, despite being a prominent name, was not considered the ideal candidate to lead the side in Gill’s absence, leaving Rahul to take charge for the crucial IND vs SA ODI series.
“Rahul's captaincy is one off and should be seen in isolation. Rishabh (Pant) wasn't considered as he has played only one ODI game in the last one year. The selectors expect that Shubman Gill's neck injury will heal and he will be back against New Zealand (3 ODIs in January 2026),” stated a BCCI official.
Looking at KL Rahul’s ODI record since 2023, his consistency becomes clear. Over this period, he has played 35 innings, largely occupying the middle-order role, and accumulated 1332 runs. His tally includes two well-crafted centuries and seven valuable half-centuries, underlining his reliability in pressure situations. Rahul has repeatedly shown the ability to stabilize innings, rotate strike efficiently, and finish games when required—qualities that have strengthened his case as a natural leader in the format.
His recent performances in the Champions Trophy further boosted his credentials. Rahul played a pivotal role in several key matches, guiding India through tense moments and helping the team lift the trophy. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant did not feature in the tournament, spending the campaign on the bench. This contrast in match time and impact made it easier for the selectors to place their trust in Rahul when choosing a captain for the upcoming series.
Rishabh Pant, in contrast, has had a limited run in the ODI format in recent years. He played 12 matches in 2022 but did not feature in any ODI games throughout 2023. His opportunities remained scarce in 2024 as well, with only a single appearance to his name, leaving his ODI career struggling to gain momentum. This lack of consistent match time has affected both his form and his standing within the format’s pecking order.
However, the upcoming series beginning on November 30 offers Pant a valuable chance to revive his ODI journey. With the selectors naming him as the primary wicketkeeper for the assignment, he will have the opportunity to reaffirm his value in the middle order and behind the stumps. Meanwhile, KL Rahul will play solely as a specialist batter, giving Pant full responsibility in the wicketkeeping role and a platform to make a strong statement in the format once again.
India squad for South Africa ODIs
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel.
