Kohli, Rohit back; Gill injury to script Gaikwad's return? India's probable squad for SA ODIs

Rohit, Kohli likely to be in; Gill might miss SA ODIs [Source: AFP]

After the ongoing Test series, India will cross swords against South Africa in a three-match ODI leg on home soil. Shubman Gill's maiden outing as Indian ODI captain ended on a disappointing note, with Australia crushing the visitors by 2-1 in their backyard. However, the skipper might have to wait for a redemption, as his untimely neck injury is set to sideline him from the Proteas series. 

As the Men in Blue gear up for the South Africa ODIs, here's an in-depth analysis to find their probable squad for the home series. But before that, let's have a look at their squad for the Australia tour. 

India's squad for Australia ODIs

Shubman Gill (C), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer injured; who could be called as replacements?

Apart from Shubman Gill, experienced cricketer Shreyas Iyer is another Indian player who is nursing an injury. While Gill's rehabilitation is likely to rule him out of the South Africa series, Iyer will reportedly remain on the sidelines amid his recovery from a devastating spleen injury.

Gaikwad frontrunner to replace Gill

According to TOI, the BCCI selection committee might not rush Gill back into action and bring him back for the subsequent T20I series. If that's the case, the hosts might recall Ruturaj Gaikwad, with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal making into the team as India's first-choice openers. 

(Ruturaj Gaikwad in IND-A vs SA-A)

As evidenced by the above stats, Ruturaj Gaikwad was magnificent in the unofficial ODI series between India-A and South Africa-A. 

While Abhishek Sharma managed only 74 runs at an average of 24.67, Gaikwad made his chances count, playing a pivotal role in India-A's clinical series win. So, considering his prolific form, the Maharashtra batter will likely receive an ODI recall if Gill fails to recover in time.

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Pant could be in, toss-up between Tilak and Parag?

On the other hand, with Shreyas Iyer injured, it won't be surprising if India bring Rishabh Pant back to their ODI setup. In 31 matches, Pant has scored 1209 runs at a superb strike rate of 106.2 in the 50-over format. So, if he gets in, Dhruv Jurel might be ignored, with KL Rahul likely to be picked as India's first-choice keeper-batter.  

Meanwhile, there could be a toss-up between Tilak Varma and Riyan Parag for the remaining batter's slot. Tilak blew hot and cold for India-A in their unofficial ODIs against South Africa and Australia, scoring 176 runs across five innings. On the other hand, Parag grabbed the limelight through three successive fifties against Australia-A, striking at a blistering rate of 123.84. 

It will eventually come down to India's interest. If they want a specialist batter, we might see Tilak getting preferred over Parag. However, if the Indian think tank wants a batter who can chip in with a few overs, Riyan Parag perfectly fits the bill. 

Pandya, Bumrah likely to be rested; Reddy could retain his place

As per the latest reports, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the South Africa ODIs, with India considering managing their workload. So, Nitish Reddy, despite failing in the Australia series, might get another chance to prove his mettle as an allrounder. Apart from him, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar will likely get the nod as India's spin-bowling allrounders. 

Kohli, Rohit, KL, Harshit and Kuldeep likely to form India's core team

(Harshit Rana in IND-A vs SA-A ODIs)

The South Africa ODIs will likely witness the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to competitive cricket after featuring on the Australia tour. In Gill's absence, KL Rahul might emerge as the frontrunner to lead India's ODI side, while Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav could spearhead the bowling attack. 

Harshit was sensational in the recently concluded series between India-A and South Africa-A, scalping seven wickets at an average of 16.71 and an economy of 4.68. Prasidh Krishna, who looked lacklustre Down Under, also redeemed himself with five wickets and might retain his place in the ODI side. 

India's probable squad for South Africa ODIs

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag/Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant (WK), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rohit Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

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