Follow UsStand-in India ODI captain KL Rahul said the team is “very excited” for the ODI series opener against South Africa in Ranchi. The team spent time with MS Dhoni at a team dinner, which the former India captain hosted at his farmhouse before the match. With Dhoni expected to be in the stands for the first ODI in his hometown, Rahul said the squad felt an extra buzz around the occasion.
“We all played under him. We all have been his fans. We all played together. To know someone like MS is a very happy opportunity to know someone as big as MS and someone so successful as an Indian player,” he said, as quoted by the Indian Express.
Talking about the possibility of Dhoni attending the match, Rahul said the team would be thrilled to perform in front of him.
“If he comes to watch the match, along with the crowd, we will get more excited. Hopefully, we can win the game, put up a good performance and entertain the crowd. MS Dhoni will also feel happy that we won the game,” the Indian skipper added.
Ranchi, which last hosted an ODI in 2022, has a strong emotional link to Team India due to Dhoni, and Rahul believes that energy will lift both the players and the fans. With the team looking to regroup after a tough Test series, Rahul said India will hope to “put up a good performance” in conditions that traditionally suit them and ride the emotion and support of the Ranchi crowd in the opening ODI.