KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja's presence in the side is not a surety for the event starting February 19 even though they were a part of the ODI World Cup 2023
Since the final, India has played six ODIs and while Shami and Jadeja were rested, Rahul was included in both the away bilateral series against South Africa and Sri Lanka
It is understood that Yashasvi Jaiswal has a very bright chance of making it to the ODI squad. If he makes the cut in the squad, his inclusion will ensure a left-handed batter in the top four
But if Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper, then would there be any point in having Rahul as the backup? And if Rahul is not keeping, his place as a batter is not guaranteed
Coming to Mohammed Shami, the veteran pacer's communication with the team management and the selection committee on his fitness status didn't seem to have the required clarity
In case Jasprit Bumrah fails to make it due to back spasms, Shami's experience will become crucial for the side
Hardik Pandya is the seam-bowling all-rounder and it will be interesting to see if Nitish Reddy will be considered
Team India and South Africa will engage in the three-match ODI series from November 30 (Pic: X/@BCCI)
Ahead of the ODI series, Team India's Kohli has so far played 31 50-over format matches against the Proteas and scored 1504 runs (Pic: X/@ICC)
The right-hander has also scored five centuries and eight half-centuries against South Africa in the format (Pic: X/@RCBTweets)
The 37-year-old batsman's highest score against the Proteas in the 50-over game is an unbeaten 160 runs (Pic: X/@BCCI)
Overall, Kohli has made 305 appearances for India in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs). He has scored 14,255 runs, including 51 tons and 75 half-centuries. The right-hander's career-best score in the format is 183 runs (Pic: X/@ICC)
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