India will face South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. KL Rahul is the captain in Shubman Gill’s absence, and the batter will lead a strong squad featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With Gill out, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two contenders to open, and the southpaw is expected to get the call for the first game.

Despite being named in India’s ODI squad for the previous series against Australia, Jaiswal, with just one ODI cap, was benched.

Virat Kohli, who struggled with two ducks in the first two ODIs against Australia, returned to form with an unbeaten half-century in the third ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground. Kohli will retain his spot at No. 3, but it will be intriguing to see who between Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma steps in at No. 4, with Shreyas Iyer missing out. Neither Pant nor Tilak has played an ODI for India in 2025.

With captain KL Rahul being India’s preferred wicketkeeper in ODIs, the team management may opt to play specialist batter Tilak Varma at No. 4. The Hyderabad batter recently led India A in three unofficial ODIs against South Africa A, demonstrating his leadership qualities and batting ability.

KL Rahul will occupy the No. 5 position, while Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the all-rounders in the lineup. Kuldeep Yadav, who played only one ODI in Australia, is expected to feature in all three contests against South Africa. Fast-bowling duties will fall to Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.

Prasidh Krishna is part of India’s squad, though it seems unlikely that the pacer from Karnataka will be preferred over Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.

India’s Probable XI For 1st ODI against South Africa: KL Rahul (C & WK), Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh.