As Team India gears up for the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi tomorrow, captain KL Rahul emphasised the need to leave behind the disappointments of their recent Test series losses and rediscover their rhythm in the 50-over format.
In a pre-series press conference, Rahul highlighted the stark differences between Test and ODI cricket, noting that the formats demand distinct player setups and strategies. “Both are very different formats; the players and setup are also a bit different,” Rahul said. He acknowledged the hurt from the Test defeats in Guwahati and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), where India fell short, but stressed the importance of moving forward. “The Test team part was disappointed or hurt that we could have done better in Guwahati and Kolkata. But it’s important to forget about those things and focus on this series.”
🗣️🗣️ Key will be to get into the rhythm and momentum of playing ODI cricket 🙌
Captain @klrahul on #TeamIndia’s mindset heading into the #INDvSA ODI series 🎯
Click to watch the full press conference ▶️ https://t.co/YAZHM9HdKF@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/zvVvBr1U47
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 29, 2025
Rahul pointed out that India hasn’t played much ODI cricket since the 2025 Champions Trophy, making it crucial for the team to quickly adapt and build momentum. “Obviously, we haven’t played much in One Day since the Champions Trophy. It will be very important to catch that rhythm quickly and try to get the momentum of playing one-day cricket and performing in ODIs,” he explained.
The captain also touched on the team’s ongoing preparations, underscoring that while the players have been active in other formats, the key lies in making tactical adjustments and adopting the right mindset. “We have all been playing, so it’s just a matter of what tactical changes need to happen, how we should play with the mindset. We will try to do that,” Rahul added.
This three-match ODI series marks India’s first bilateral white-ball assignment since the Champions Trophy and comes on the heels of South Africa’s 1-0 Test series victory in India. With games scheduled in Ranchi (November 30), Raipur (December 3), and Visakhapatnam (December 6), Rahul’s leadership will be under scrutiny as the team transitions formats against a confident Proteas side.
Rahul’s comments reflect a pragmatic approach, aiming to harness the squad’s experience while addressing the rust from limited ODI exposure. Fans will be eager to see if India can translate this focus into on-field success, starting with tomorrow’s opener.
