PERTH, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 19: KL Rahul of India takes a return throw during game one of the One Day International series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: India have announced their squad for the three ODIs against South Africa, and as expected, KL Rahul will lead the side in the series starting November 30. In a notable development, Axar Patel has not been included, while Ravindra Jadeja returns to the ODI mix after being dropped for the series against Australia. The other surprising omission from the squad is Varun Chakravarthy, who was India’s trump card in the Champions Trophy.

As TimesofIndia.com had first reported on November 22, regular captain Shubman Gill wasn’t available due to a neck injury, Hardik Pandya is yet to regain match fitness, and Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the series. Tilak Varma’s addition to the middle order is a sign of things to come, as the team management is keen to inject more left-handers into the middle order.India have had a very right-hand–dominated ODI batting order, and in the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, different combinations will be tried. Tilak and Rishabh Pant could get their chances in the upcoming fixtures, as Shreyas Iyer’s injury allows the think tank to explore all options before the vice-captain regains match fitness.The biggest talking point, however, remains Jadeja over Axar Patel. Not too long ago, the men’s senior selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar had ignored Jadeja for the ODI series in Australia. Agarkar had explained why there was no need for an extra left-arm spinner and clearly indicated that Axar was ahead of Jadeja in the format.“He is very much in the plans. But there will be some competition for places. Of course, he was there in the Champions Trophy squad because we took those extra spinners with the conditions there. At the moment, we could only carry one and get some balance in the team with Washi and Kuldeep there as well. And I don’t think we are going to need more than that in Australia,” Agarkar had said.Axar picked up three wickets in as many games and made contributions of 31 and 44 in the two opportunities with the bat but didn’t make the 15-member squad for the three games against South Africa.

Veteran speedster Mohammed Shami continues to be ignored, even after proving his match fitness in the domestic circuit, as selectors have stuck with the likes of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh. Mohammed Siraj also seems to have been rested for the series.India’s ODI squad: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel