KL Rahul to open batting for India in ODI

Due to the injury to newly-appointed white-ball captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul will lead the Indian squad in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

The Hitman is currently rehabilitating from a hamstring injury suffered prior to India's tour of South Africa. However, in the home series against the West Indies, India's newly-appointed white-ball captain is anticipated to return.

"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," stated an India skipper KL Rahul in a virtual press conference. 

Meanwhile, Rahul noted that the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya will provide Venkatesth Iyer with a "wonderful opportunity" to play and show himself in the three-match One-Day International series against South Africa, which begins tomorrow, January 19.

In the ongoing tour, Rahul led India in the second Test in Johannesburg, after Kohli was forced to withdraw due to back spasms.

“I think I take every game as it comes. I am not really someone who gets worried or gets too happy. I stay balanced with the results. There were a lot of learnings from the Johannesburg Test. I have learned a lot from both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, I am human, I will make mistakes along the way but I will learn and get better. That's where my mind is at. The ODI series is a fresh start and it is a great opportunity for me to lead the side,” KL Rahul said about the upcoming captaincy task.