Credit: X

Credit: X

KL Rahul, the Indian captain for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, dropped a major update about the future of Rinku Singh in the 50 overs format. On the eve of the first ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, the 31-year-old stated at the press conference that Rinku Singh “will get his opportunity even in the ODI series.”

The 16-member Indian squad for the South Africa ODIs has a great blend of youth and experience, with major absentees including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj for a variety of reasons. Some of the youngsters vying for places in the Indian batting lineup are Rinku Singh, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, and Tilak Varma, while the likes of Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar are in line to take up the bowling slots in the ODI series.

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During his pre-match press conference on Saturday, December 16, KL Rahul appreciated the contribution of Rinku Singh in his recent T20I appearances for India before talking about his ODI credentials. He was quoted as saying, “What has been good to see is the temperament and game awareness that he (Rinku Singh) has shown in the T20I series. He has shown how good a player he has been. We have seen the calmness. That has been very refreshing for me to see as well on the television. He has performed really well across formats in first-class cricket. He will get his opportunity even in the ODI series.”

KL Rahul also spoke about his role in the three-match ODI series against South Africa and remarked, “I will be doing wicket-keeping & batting in middle order in this ODI series. I am happy to take any role in the Test series which the captain, the coach and the management wants. Of course, even in T20, I want to play for my country.”

Sanju Samson to bat in middle order for India: KL Rahul

Apart from talking about his role during the South Africa ODIs, KL Rahul stated that Sanju Samson will be batting in the middle order for India during the three matches in the rainbow nation. The most ideal position in the Indian playing XI will be either No. 5 or 6 for Sanju Samson, who has delivered some quality performances in the 50 overs format in the recent past.

Rahul said, “Yeah, I think Sanju will bat in the middle-order and that is the role he has played in ODI cricket. He will bat at either five or six and he will play that role. For now, I am going to do wicket-keeping in this series but if there is an opportunity then at some point, he will also keep the wickets.”