India’s ODI plans are getting a timely lift. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer — two pillars of the limited-overs setup — are moving steadily through their injury recoveries, offering optimism ahead of the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.
Gill has been working back from a neck injury picked up during the Kolkata Test, while Iyer continues to rebuild strength after a spleen laceration suffered in Australia. Their timelines remain fluid, but the mood in the camp has brightened.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel underlined that positivity, saying he checked in with both players and liked what he heard. “He is recovering well,” Morkel said of Gill. “Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. We are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad.”
Gill likely out; Iyer’s role still in flux
Despite the encouraging progress, Gill is expected to sit out the South Africa ODIs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal lined up as the likely replacement at the top. Iyer’s return at No. 4 remains less clear, keeping the door open for Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma to inherit the role if needed.
India’s selection puzzle extends beyond batting. The team’s training session in Ranchi revealed surfaces carrying pace and bounce — conditions that could influence whether Nitish Kumar Reddy or Washington Sundar earns the nod in the XI.
Pressure to reset after home Test struggles
The ODI series arrives at a moment when India is searching for rhythm. The team has dropped five of its last seven home Tests, a rare skid that has intensified scrutiny across formats.
Morkel sees the white-ball shift as a chance to recalibrate. “It’s a change of colour and ball, which always brings different energy,” he said. South Africa, he noted, brings momentum — making India’s early execution crucial.
Veteran presence adds stability
One stabilizing factor: the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket on home soil since stepping away from Tests. Their experience — and fitness levels, which Morkel expressed confidence in — remains essential as India quietly begins shaping its path toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
A crucial window to rebuild
As the series approaches, the focus sharpens on preparation, combinations, and clarity. India’s coaching group views these matches as an important checkpoint — a chance to reestablish standards, reset confidence, and ease two key players, Gill and Iyer, back toward full availability.
The road to South Africa begins with recovery, and for India, the timing couldn’t be better.
