The India National Cricket Team has yet again lost the toss, and South Africa invited the hosts to bat first at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi in the three-match ODI series opener on Sunday (November 30). However, it was Ruturaj Gaikwad’s inclusion that turned more heads.
KL Rahul is leading the Men in Blue in the three-match ODI series against South Africa after Shubman Gill was ruled out with a neck injury, while the vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, is also recovering from his injury. After losing the toss, Rahul said that he would have chosen to bowl first too.
India lose toss again as South Africa opt to bowl in 1st ODI
India’s stand-in captain said that the team’s preparation has been solid and the players, especially returning Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have brought fresh energy. The focus in the camp is to enjoy the game and make the most of every chance they get in the ODI setup.
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KL Rahul said at the toss in Ranchi, “We need to use every opportunity we get in the ODI team; this is a great chance to challenge our skills against a very good team.”
Meanwhile, India went with three spinners—Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav—as well as three fast bowlers—Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna—for the first ODI against the Proteas side at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.
Ruturaj Gaikwad play at No. 4 in Ranchi ODI
Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma returned to his opening position, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will share the duty at the top with him. Virat Kohli also retained his number three spot, but the Indian think tank stunned everyone by drafting comeback man Ruturaj Gaikwad at number four.
Gaikwad last played an ODI against the same opposition—South Africa—in 2023, while his last appearance in the national jersey was against Zimbabwe during the T20I series last year. Well, the right-handed batter has been in sublime form, and that worked in his favor.
For the first ODI in Ranchi, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been preferred over Rishabh Pant for the middle-order spot, given his ongoing stunning form in domestic cricket. Pant was overlooked for the ODI series opener, as Rahul will also do the wicketkeeping job and will bat at No. 6.
Ruturaj Gaikwad batted only twice at No.4
Washington Sundar will come after Gaikwad to bat in the lineup, and then Ravindra Jadeja, who is also making an ODI comeback after being overlooked for the Australia tour.
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Notably, Gaikwad mainly plays as an opener, and his most dominant performances have come from the top of the order, but he has been considered for the number four slot in ODIs.
The Maharashtra batter only once played in the IPL at No. 4 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and batted once at this position for India against South Africa and scored 4 runs in an ODI.
Here’s how fans react to Ruturaj Gaikwad finally getting a chance:
The roar only gets louder from here
Go well, Rutu! #WhistlePodu #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/V6UrrfW67Z— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 30, 2025
Thank you BCCI,
Thank you Gautam Gambhir,
Thank you Ajit Agarkar,
Thank you Morne Morkel,
Thank you KL Rahul,
Thank you to anyone and everyone who finally gave my man Ruturaj Gaikwad a chance back into the Blues.
I’ll be grateful for this!#RuturajGaikwad #INDvSA #ODI— Sukumaran BP (@BpSukumaran) November 30, 2025
Gautam Gambhir, I wasn’t familiar with your game.
Ruturaj Gaikwad plays cricket today— Leo (@thedeepfineleg) November 30, 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad in the playing 11… YAYY..Virat, Rutu, Rohit, Jaddu, KL..Mahi’s boys forever #INDvSA Gambhir u can hate him but u can never escape his legacy
— Prakriti (@Prakriti_99) November 30, 2025
Rocket Raja Ruturaj Gaikwad Back in internationals 2 Years Later
& this isn’t A Comeback , this is A Redemption . pic.twitter.com/KZK3SXSDDW
— CRICitism (@CRICitism) November 30, 2025
It might be a blessing in disguise for team India of giving no.4 slot to Ruturaj Gaikwad…
— Karan Gourshete (@GoursheteKaran) November 30, 2025
Happy to see him in blue after a long time #Ruturaj gaikwad pic.twitter.com/NS7wnVw2AF
— 𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 ⁷ (@iamMSDfan) November 30, 2025
RAVI SHASTRI at the Toss
RUTURAJ GAIKWAD in Playing XI
Match at MS DHONI LAND
This is CINEMA
IMAGINE THE HEART BEAT OF A CSK FAN
IMAGINE the FEELING OF A PERSON WHO REALLY WANTED RUTURAJ TO SHINE IN BLUE FOR INDIA @Ruutu1331 #Ruturaj #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/DP1u4a16v8
— Its_Me_Maxeyyy (@maxeyyy_tweets) November 30, 2025
Go Ruturaj Gaikwad Go #RuturajGaikwad | #INDvSA | #Ranchi | #INDvsSA
— Paritosh Kumar (@Paritosh_2016) November 30, 2025
Am I reading this right? RUTURAJ GAIKWAD in the Playing XI even with Jaiswal opening? I guess the Selectors finally saw something. #INDvsSA #RuturajGaikwad
— Spandan Mohapatra (@isspandan004) November 30, 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad at No.4
Grab it mannnn
Our Yellow Boyyy pic.twitter.com/zgvSgeY83R— Kunal Bishwal (@KunalBishwal07) November 30, 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad is back on Indian Team! Let’s send him all our prayers. This is one chance for him to seal his spot #INDvSA #CSK #Ruturaj pic.twitter.com/rQW7hHAEwl
— Ordinary Person (@GirishCSK7) November 30, 2025
Finally Ruturaj Gaikwad get opportunity to Play For India. So happy that Finally Talent meet opportunity. pic.twitter.com/PNo0Gg86nr
— AYUSH RANJAN (@AyushRaGenius17) November 30, 2025
India XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
