IND vs SA ODI Series: Shikhar Dhawan to lead vs SA in ODIs, all India T20 WC Squad members to be rested: Follow Live updates

IND vs SA ODI Series: India vs SouthAfrica LIVE: An ODI series before T20 World Cup doesn’t seem right. But that is how bilateral commitments go. India will play three ODIs before departing for Australia. However, the BCCI is mindful of the players’ rest before the long World Cup tour down under. Hence, Shikhar Dhawan will lead and Rohit Sharma & Co including all World Cup-bound players will be rested from the ODI series. VVS Laxman will be in charge of the squad. Follow IND vs SA LIVE & T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

“Yes, it is not ideal to have an ODI series before T20 World Cup. But that is how it goes sometimes. Rohit, Virat and all T20 World Cup-bound players will be rested from the ODI series. They will get a short break before departing for Australia. Shikhar will lead the side,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

IND vs AUS Highlights: Virat Kohli & SKY power India to 6-wicket win…

Rohit-Virat Friendship: Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli share BROMANCE moment on camera, celebrate…

IND vs SA ODI Series: Shikhar Dhawan to lead India against South Africa, T20 World Cup bound players likely to be rested, Follow Live Updates

India’s three-match ODI series will be played from October 6 and will end on October 11. However, in just six days of the last ODI, Team India will play a warm-up match against Australia before the T20 WC. Hence, India T20 WC squad will leave for Australia by October 10 to acclimate to the conditions and time zones. That is why the board has decided to have a completely separate squad for the ODI series.

IND vs SA ODI Series: Why India will have a completely different ODI squad for SA series?

As Team India play Australia in the first T20 World Cup warm-up match on October 17, they will be rested from the SA ODI series.
Rohit Sharma & Co will leave for Australia on October 9-10.
The early departure will help in acclimating to the Australian conditions and time zones.
India will begin with intra-squad practice matches before the warm-up games.
As for the ODI series, the players who will not make it to the T20 WC, will be picked.
Shikhar Dhawan will return as the captain.
The likes of Rahul Tripathi are expected to make their debut in the series.
There is also talk about Umran Malik bowling longer spells and could be picked for the ODI series.
VVS Laxman will be in-charge of the series as Rahul Dravid will leave with the T20 WC squad.

IND vs SA ODI Series: Shikhar Dhawan to lead India against South Africa, T20 World Cup bound players likely to be rested, Follow Live Updates

However, there could be a change in plans if Rahul Dravid decides to have an ODI practice before T20 WC. As per InsideSport’s understanding, Dravid wants the players to have as much competitive practice as possible. That could see the a few players for T20 WC playing in the ODI series. The likes of KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel who have not had much practice, could get the nod. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya will be rested in that case.

“Rahul wants the players to have better competitive practice. But we believe it could be detrimental. However, it will be put to discussion during the selection meeting and we will decide the due course. If Rahul decides to stay with the squad for ODIs, the squad will leave for Australia along with South African players on October 12,” the BCCI official said.

It should be noted that South Africa will have the T20 World Cup squad playing in the ODIs. South Africa will also begin their T20 WC warm-ups on October 17 against New Zealand.

IND vs SA ODI Series: Shikhar Dhawan to lead India against South Africa, T20 World Cup bound players likely to be rested, Follow Live Updates

South Africa ODI Squad:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi