KL Rahul set to lead India in South Africa ODIs; Shami rested

On expected lines, the BCCI announced the 18-man squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa. KL Rahul, who earlier was appointed as the vice-captain in the absence of Rohit Sharma, would lead the side in the ODI series against the Proteas with the latter still not fit to make it to the squad. 

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mr KL Rahul as Captain for the ODI series as Mr Rohit Sharma is ruled out owing to an injury," announced BCCI. 

"Rohit is not fit, he is in rehab. We never wanted to take chance with him,' BCCI chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma said. "We are looking to groom KL Rahul. He has proved his leadership qualities. KL is the best one who can handle the side."

India's chief selector, Chetan Sharma also stated that the selection committee considered the likes of Rishi Dhawan, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahrukh Khan, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan for the South African series and insisted that they would get their chances later this year. 

Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Venkatesh Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad are all set to compete for the spot at the top of the order with the selectors. The selectors picked the Maharashtra skipper Gaikwad, on the back of a 600-run season in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

The squad has also seen the return of Ravichandran Ashwin in the 50-over format alongside Mohammed Siraj. Washington Sundar, who earlier impressed in Tamil Nadu’s outfit during the VHT has been picked in the squad. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will continue to miss cricketing action, failing to recover from their injuries. 

Mohammed Shami, who impressed one and all with his pace and line in the first Test in Centurion against South Africa has been rested for the three-match series. Jasprit Bumrah has been elevated as the vice-captain of the 50-over side in South Africa. 

India's squad for the South Africa ODIs: KL Rahul (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Y Chahal, R Ashwin, W Sundar, J Bumrah (VC), Bhuvneshwar Kumar,Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj