Spotlight on Rohit-Virat as India look to turn a corner in ODI series

With competition for a number of spots, the three-match series vs South Africa should generate plenty of interest

- Rasesh Mandani

It’s been a turbulent year for India’s Test team with seniors asked to make way and their replacements good one day, poor the next. The T20 squad is more balanced and have had better results. And all energies should be focused on perfecting this format with a World Cup round the corner.

But the cricket calendar hinges on television revenue and because this is India, even bilateral ODIs have a high value riding on them.

So, India and South Africa will face off in a three-match series. The ODI World Cup (October-November 2027) is so far away that the upcoming matches will be played for what they are — old-fashioned limited overs entertainers.

It’s a good thing the first match on Sunday is in Ranchi where the crowd is expected to show up anyway. Ranchi doesn’t get to host World Cup matches or to experience Indian Premier League (IPL) showbiz.

The city last hosted an ODI three years ago. The man who put the Jharkhand capital on the cricket map has been in and around the venue and hosting Indian players he knows for team dinners. “Agar MS Dhoni aayenge to crowd ka aur hamara excitement aur bhi badh jayega,” said KL Rahul, standing in as captain for Shubman Gill.