"We talk with him about how to improve" - KL Rahul's huge statement on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs SA 2025 1st ODI

Team India stand-in ODI captain KL Rahul revealed that the players are seeking Virat Kohli's feedback to improve their game ahead of the three-match series against South Africa. The white-ball home season brings the former skipper back into the ODI setup after the disappointing away series loss to Australia.

The three-match affair Down Under marked Virat Kohli's return to international cricket after seven long months. He recorded two consecutive ducks in Perth and Adelaide in his comeback matches, but ended the tour on a high with an unbeaten fifty in Sydney to make a statement.

He retained his place in the ODI setup, which is riddled with injuries at the moment. Star batters Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have been ruled out due to injuries, while lead pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are rested after a tough home Test series loss to South Africa.

In the absence of such pivotal figures, the experience of Virat Kohli becomes that much more important. KL Rahul valued the star player's presence in the dressing room ahead of a crucial series.

"Taking singles is as important as hitting boundaries. That's something Virat has done so well in his career. In the dressing room, we talk with him about how to improve. He is the master of ODI cricket. Good to have him back in the dressing room," KL Rahul said during the pre-match press conference in Ranchi (via Rev Sportz).

Along with Virat Kohli, veteran Rohit Sharma also returns to the Indian team after making a major statement in Australia. KL Rahul stated that the return of the legendary pair will infuse confidence into the dressing room.

"Their importance at any point is huge. They make the dressing room feel a lot more confident. Winning is the most important thing. We are trying to forget what happened a week ago," the skipper added.

Rohit Sharma was adjudged player of the series for his heroics in the three-match ODI series against Australia. In his return to competitive cricket, he scored a fifty and a hundred to finish with 202 runs in the low-scoring set of games.

"He missed out from the Australia tour" - KL Rahul on Ravindra Jadeja's return to the white-ball team ahead of IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was a surprising exclusion for the Australia tour as India opted against taking a third spin-bowling all-rounder. However, he makes a return for the home series against South Africa amid Axar Patel's absence.

KL Rahul branded Ravindra Jadeja as a vital cog across all departments and backs him to do well after not being in Australia.

"Jadeja is someone who has done it all. He missed out from the Australia tour, but he was there in the Champions Trophy. He can do it with the bat, ball, and on the field. Good to have him back in the dressing room," KL Rahul said.

The first ODI between India and South Africa is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 30, at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.