Stand-in captain KL Rahul said the Indian team would be “more excited” if former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni attends the opening ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium on Sunday, as the hosts look to bounce back from a 2-0 Test series defeat.
Playing in Dhoni’s hometown adds an emotional layer to India’s limited-overs return, and Rahul, who made his ODI debut under Dhoni in 2016, acknowledged what the former captain continues to mean to the dressing room.
“We’ve all played under him. We’ve been his fans, and we’ve all played together. So we are all friends, and to know someone like MS, it’s a very happy opportunity to know someone as big as MS and someone who is so successful as an Indian player and we all respect him as a human being.
“So if he also comes to watch the match, not only the crowd, we will get more excited. So, we will also enjoy playing here, and hopefully we can win the game, put up a good performance and entertain the crowd, and for MS Dhoni, he will also feel happy that we won the game,” Rahul said on Saturday.
Rahul confirmed he will continue batting at No. 6 and noted the boost that comes with the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. “I will be batting in the same position. I have been playing at number six since the Champions Trophy, so I will be batting there, and obviously, there are all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Reddy.
“We have all these options, so we will see what the best eleven is, and we will make that decision in the evening, and you will know tomorrow. Taking singles is as important as hitting boundaries in ODI cricket and in Test cricket, maybe not as much in the T20 format. That’s something Virat has done so well over his career and it’s something that we’ve looked at Virat and tried to learn.
“Even in the dressing room, we all talked to him and Rohit about how we can get better as batsmen, and how we can rotate the strike a lot more. He’s obviously the master at doing that in ODI cricket. We’re really happy that he’s back in the dressing room. He’s very excited to be here and play these games.
“Their importance at any point is huge. To have senior players in the team obviously makes the dressing room feel a lot more confident. Just having their presence and experience helps out a lot of players in the dressing room and helps out the team. We’re really happy that they’re here,” he said.
Rahul also welcomed the return of Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the ODI series in Australia. “Look, Jadeja has obviously been part of the Indian team for so many years. He’s done the job time and again, and we all know what he can do and what he brings to the table. I’m happy to have him back again with the ODI team. He missed out on the Australia series, but he was part of the Champions Trophy as well.
“He was key in us winning that tournament with bat and ball in the field. He’s someone who can do everything and he’s someone who’s always done everything that the team has required of him. So, having him and his experience obviously is great for me as a captain or whoever is captaining. I think it’s great to have players that have experience, have done it time and again,” he added.
Rutu a top-class player
Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return gives India another batting option, and Rahul said the right-hander will feature at some point during the series. “Rutu, obviously, is a top-class player. We’ve all seen it. With whatever limited opportunities he’s got, he’s really utilised them and shown what he can do. Unfortunately, in ODI cricket, the top 5 or 6 is quite settled and they’re performing really well. So, you feel bad for players who don’t get enough opportunities.
“Also, at the same time, for the guys who are in the team, you feel happy that they’re performing and doing their job for the team. It’s unfortunate for the players who miss out. Now, he’s gotten his opportunity with a few injuries. He will get his chance at some stage.
“I’m looking forward to giving him that chance and letting him show what he can do, do the job for the team. There’s never a question mark about his skill and how good he is as a player. It’s just about the right opportunities and the right timing as in come. Hopefully, this series gives him that opportunity.”