KL Rahul exposes dressing-room mood around Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli

Team India stand-in captain KL Rahul made a huge statement on veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the first ODI against South Africa. Rahul said that the experienced duo brings confidence and stability to the dressing room and added that the focus now is on winning games for the team.

India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa will be Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s first home appearance since the England ODIs in February 2025. The series will begin on Sunday, November 30, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, and all eyes will be on the senior pair’s performance.

They Make the Dressing Room Feel a Lot More Confident - KL Rahul on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

KL Rahul said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring positivity and confidence to the dressing room. He added that the team is trying to move on from last week’s disappointment, especially after India’s poor Test outing in South Africa, where they lost both matches.

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"Their importance in any point is huge. They make the dressing room feel a lot more confident. Winning is the most important thing. We are trying to forget what happened a week ago," Rahul said at the pre-match press conference.

That’s Something Virat Kohli Has Done So Well in His Career - KL Rahul

KL Rahul said that Virat Kohli’s experience will be crucial in the upcoming ODI series. He noted that Kohli has the ability to rotate strike and build an innings, calling him a master of the ODI format. Rahul added that the dressing room often learns from Kohli’s approach.

"Taking singles is as important as hitting boundaries. That's something Virat has done so well in his career. In the dressing room, we talk with him about how to improve. He is the master of ODI cricket. Good to have him back in the dressing room," Rahul stated.

India to Start ODI Series Against South Africa Without Key Players; KL Rahul Named Captain

India will enter the ODI series against South Africa without several key players. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have been ruled out with injuries, while fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested after a demanding Test series.

KL Rahul has been named stand-in captain, and Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the ODI squad after two years. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will come into the series after playing the three ODIs in Australia last month.

India lost that series 1-2, but Rohit scored 202 runs in three games, including a match-winning, unbeaten century in the final ODI. Kohli had a rough start with two ducks but finished strongly with an unbeaten 74 in the last match. Rohit was also named Player of the Series against Australia.

The remaining two matches of the ODI series will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur and Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 3 and December 6, respectively.

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