Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return as India face South Africa in Ranchi ODI

India face South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the squad. The series doubles as a 2027 World Cup audition, while head coach Gautam Gambhir looks to stabilise India’s white-ball direction

Ranchi: India will look to address several lingering selection puzzles when they take on South Africa on Sunday in the first ODI of the three-match series, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the set-up for a short audition that could well shape their 2027 World Cup fate.

Both Rohit and Kohli now compete in just one international format, and with India scheduled to play only six ODIs in the next two months — three against the Proteas and three versus New Zealand at home in January — the stakes have rarely been higher for two of Indian cricket’s modern-day greats.

---

The performance in these games could have a direct bearing on their prospects for the 2027 ODI World Cup. It may not seal their destinies, but it begins a high-stakes audition — one that could either extend two legendary careers or nudge them closer to an inevitable sunset.

A slice of symbolism Incidentally, it was at this very JSCA Stadium back in 2013 that Rohit Sharma was first backed as a full-time opener — a defining moment that transformed not only his white-ball career but also India’s 50-over outlook for years.

More than a decade later, the 37-year-old walks into Ranchi again, this time seeking a different kind of revival as India attempt to rebuild after losing the home Test series.

For India, the ODI series comes in the shadow of the T20 World Cup at home next year, a tournament that will dictate selection priorities.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, too, enters this series under scrutiny, though his job is not under threat since his contract runs till the 2027 World Cup. His tactical calls and team selections were questioned after the Test setback. This ODI series is an important opportunity for Gambhir to stabilise the narrative and showcase clarity in India’s white-ball direction.

Unsettled batting order India’s XI remains far from settled with several senior players missing. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested, while regular captain Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are nursing injuries.

The middle-order puzzle is delicate. The management needs to decide whether to back Washington Sundar as the spin-bowling all-rounder or Nitish Kumar Reddy. Tilak Varma could also be trusted with extended runs. It remains to be seen if Rishabh Pant plays, with KL Rahul keeping wickets.

India’s approach needs to be pragmatic: allow seniors to regain rhythm, give emerging batters extended runs, and use the bowling unit — built around Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav — to assess death-overs combinations in Bumrah’s absence.

Confident Proteas, a dangerous proposition South Africa will walk into the series with confidence after their Test series triumph. Despite missing Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, they remain buoyant that the confidence gained in red-ball cricket can translate into white-ball sharpness.

For captain Temba Bavuma, the ODI leg offers a chance to reinforce South Africa’s progress in 50-over cricket. Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger will shoulder responsibility in Indian conditions, while spinner Keshav Maharaj will be central to their middle-overs control.

The batting unit looks stable with Quinton de Kock’s experience, Bavuma’s anchoring role and the dynamic presence of Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi.

The Squads India: KL Rahul (C), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen.

Match starts at 1:30 PM.