IND vs SA: BCCI to Choose Between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as ODI Captain on Sunday

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to convene a key selection meeting on Sunday, November 23, in Mumbai to finalise India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa. According to sources, the captaincy decision for both ODIs and T20Is will likely come down to KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant, with Rohit Sharma expected to sit out of the series.

Pant vs Rahul: Captaincy Call on Sunday

Rishabh Pant has shown strong form in T20Is since his return, but his lack of recent ODI experience may influence the selectors’ thinking. Pant last featured in an ODI in August 2024 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

KL Rahul, meanwhile, brings more leadership experience in the 50-over format, having captained India in 12 ODIs and one T20I, winning 9 matches. Pant has led India in five T20Is but is yet to captain the team in ODIs.

Shubman Gill Ruled Out Due to Neck Injury

Shubman Gill is set to miss selection due to a neck injury suffered on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test. The injury also forced him out of the Guwahati Test. With Gill unavailable, Pant is currently leading the team in the match underway in Guwahati.

Sources told India Today that the team management is unwilling to take risks with Gill, especially with a demanding international schedule ahead. He is expected to be rested as a precaution to enable full recovery.

Full Schedule for India vs South Africa White-Ball Series

Following the ongoing Test series, India will take on South Africa in two limited-overs competitions:

ODI Series (December 3–6, 2025)

• Ranchi

• Raipur

• Visakhapatnam

T20I Series (Begins December 9, 2025)

• Cuttack

• Mullanpur

• Dharamsala

• Lucknow

• Ahmedabad

The final decision on the squads and captaincy will be announced after Sunday’s meeting.