NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team, set to embark on a challenging One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa, arrived in Johannesburg on Friday, gearing up for the upcoming matches with an intense net practice session.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), players were seen honing their skills ahead of the first ODI scheduled for Sunday.
Players sweats it out in the nets
Spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, pacer Arshdeep Singh, and captain KL Rahul were among the players seen sweating it out in the nets, fine-tuning their game for the series against South Africa.
"Our ODI group has arrived in Johannesburg! Preparations have begun. 1st one-day on Sunday. #TeamIndia #SAvIND," BCCI wrote along with the video on its official X handle.
After a closely contested T20I series under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, which ended in a 1-1 draw, the focus now shifts to the ODIs.
KL Rahul to lead Indian ODI side
The Indian squad for the ODI series sees the return of experienced players like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. However, notable names like regular captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are absent from the ODI lineup.
The squad also includes promising youngsters such as Rinku Singh, Sai Sudarshan, Sanju Samson, and Rajat Patidar. Shubman Gill has been rested for the ODIs.
The itinerary
The ODI series is scheduled to take place from December 17 to 21, followed by a two-match Test series starting from December 26 and concluding on January 7. As the Indian team gets into the groove for the ODI series, fans are eagerly anticipating a competitive and exciting contest against South Africa.
1/10:3rd T20I: SKY hits ton as India level SA series
AFP
2/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar Yadav hit a dazzling century as India levelled their series against South Africa with a crushing 106-run win in the third and final T20I at the Wanderers on Thursday. </p>AFP
3/10:Man of the Match
<p>Suryakumar made a 100 in a total of 201 for seven after India were sent in to bat. </p>AFP
4/10:Kuldeep Yadav
<p>South Africa crashed to 95 all out with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav taking a career-best five for 17 on his 29th birthday. </p>AP
5/10:4th T20I ton
<p>The Indian captain thrashed eight sixes and seven fours in making his fourth T20 international century off 55 balls. </p>Getty Images
6/10:3 quick wickets
<p>Suryakumar was caught at deep square leg off the next ball as India lost three wickets, including a run-out, in the final over, bowled by Lizaad Williams. </p>Reuters
7/10:Ravindra Jadeja
<p>With Suryakumar off the field with a twisted left ankle, Ravindra Jadeja took over the captaincy and dismissed South Africa captain Aiden Markram with his first ball. </p>Getty Images
8/10:4 wickets off 7 balls
<p>Jadeja took two for 25 as Kuldeep ripped through the lower order, taking the last four wickets off seven balls. </p>Getty Images
9/10:4th-wicket stand
<p>Suryakumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal (60) punished the bowling in a fourth-wicket stand of 112 off 70 balls. </p>Reuters
10/10:Keshav Maharaj
<p>Suryakumar went out to bat after left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets off successive balls in the third over. </p>ReutersIndia's squad for 3 ODIs: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C) (Wk), Sanju Samson (Wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar.
India's squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (Wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna.
(With inputs from ANI)
