Mohammad Kaif picks Shubman Gill’s replacement as captain in IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has picked KL Rahul as Shubman Gill’s replacement as captain for the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Gill could only face three deliveries in the opening Test match against the Proteas before he was ruled out with a neck spasm.

The Indian skipper is likely to be ruled out of the second Test and also the ODI series against the visitors. Furthermore, India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is likely to be ruled out of the ODI series after he suffered a serious injury in Australia. Kaif said India won’t go back to Rohit Sharma for the ODI captaincy.

“They will not go back to Rohit Sharma. That is done. He will deny it himself. I feel KL Rahul is an option. He has captained before and has experience as well. I feel he will lead the side in the ODI series,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, former UP batter backed Sai Sudharsan to return to the playing XI in the second Test after Gill’s injury. Sudharsan was dropped despite scoring 87 runs in the second Test against the West Indies in Delhi as Washington Sundar batted at one drop in Kolkata against South Africa.

“There were many left-handers together down the order which is also why Sundar was sent up. To break that, he went up. This Indian team likes all-rounders and batting depth a lot. Even left-handers are favored a lot in this team. But I feel specialist batters should play on these tracks and they have a better chance to do well as they have an understanding. I feel there will be a turning track itself in Guwahati as well because the pitch would have been prepared already. But play on such pitches where our batters can score. We have bowlers who can pick wickets in all conditions,” he said.

India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.