IND vs SA: Skipper KL Rahul to open for India in ODI series; Venkatesh Iyer likely to debut

KL Rahul had replaced Rohit Sharma as skipper for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa after the Hitman was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will serve as Rahul's deputy in the series.

Team India stand-in ODI skipper KL Rahul on Tuesday (January 18) confirmed that he would bat at the top-of-the-order in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. India and South Africa will lock horns in a three-match ODI series, with the first match set to be played on Wednesday in Paarl. Earlier, the Proteas had defeated India 2-1 in the Test series.

Rahul had replaced Rohit Sharma as skipper for the upcoming ODI series after the Hitman was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will serve as Rahul's deputy in the series.

"Yes, in the last 14-15 months, I have batted at number four-five, at different positions and you know that is what the team needed from me. Now, with Rohit not being here, I would bat at the top of the order," said Rahul during a virtual press conference.