ODI series win showcases the many batting options of India

Building up to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, it'll help cover all the bases

- Sanjeev K Samyal

Blanked by South Africa in the Test series, India had a lot on the line in the ODI series, which made winning Saturday’s deciding third game all the more special. The team management will also be pleased how the batting plans worked.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gave no room to worry about their form or fitness. For those challenging their ODI spots, they have set a very high benchmark. Two years is a long time to predict if a player's form and fitness will be intact for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The age factor too matters and the management would want backup plans ready.

In that context, they discovered fine options in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, both scoring their first ODI hundreds in the SA series. That means two new additions to a packed batting lineup. Skipper Shubman Gill is on the way to matching the terrific records of Rohit and Kohli while Shreyas Iyer is also an automatic choice. Both missed this series due to injury. There is KL Rahul in the middle-order, who captained and also hit two fifties.

Kohli made 302 runs (avg 151), Jaiswal 156 (78), Rohit 146 (48.66), Rahul 126 (126) and Gaikwad 113 (56.50) in the series.