KL Rahul

Why KL Rahul Will Not Open in India vs South Africa 1st ODI?

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - Nov 29, 2025, 11:32 AM

3 min

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KL Rahul

The Indian cricket team is set to play a three-match ODI series against South Africa, with the first match of the series to be played in Ranchi on November 30. After an embarrassing clean sweep, handed by the Proteas in a two-match Test series at home, the Indian team will aim to bounce back in the 50-over format.

They will have their two star batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, back in the squad, which will help them to use the veteran cricketers' experience and do well in the ODI series. Meanwhile, India's regular skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer both will miss the series due to injuries. KL Rahul will be seen leading the side in all three matches. But the question is, will Rahul open with Rohit Sharma in the absence of Gill? Well, the answer is NO.

Why KL Rahul Will not open in IND vs SA 1st ODI?

India's star batter KL Rahul has himself confirmed that he won't be playing as an opener in the 1st ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. Talking to the reporters ahead of the first match, Rahul confirmed his batting position, “I will be batting at 6; that’s what I have been batting,” Rahul said.

Rahul is known for his adaptive ability to bat in any position. He has batted at 4th, 5th, and 6th positions in the ODI and impressively has an average of above 40 in all these positions.

Position	Inns	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100s	50s
4th	13	558	111*	55.80	86.78	2	3
5th	31	1299	112	56.47	96.36	2	9
6th	10	243	42*	40.50	94.18	0	0

Who will open with Rohit Sharma in 1st IND vs SA ODI?

As Shubman Gill is injured and KL Rahul has confirmed that he will play at no. 6, there are high chances of Yashasvi Jaiswal finally getting an opportunity to open along with Rohit Sharma. Jaiswal has proved how incredible he can be as an opener in the Test format. Even in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for Rajasthan Royals over the years, Jaiswal has shown how destructive he can be.

Apart from him, Ruturaj Gaikwad is also an option who can play as an opener. Gaikwad has shown consistency in the domestic circuit recently. He was also phenomenal against South Africa A, which helped him earn a spot in India's ODI squad.