India names a 16-member new look side for South Africa ODIs, Rajat Patidar and Mukesh Kumar make to the team

With the T20 World Cup coming up, India is hosting South Africa for a white-ball series ahead of the ICC event. Both teams are currently playing a three-match T20I series which started on Wednesday, with India winning the first match and the second game to take place on Sunday.

India will also play three ODIs against South Africa after the three T20Is. The ODI series is to kick off on October 6 in Lucknow. The Indian selection committee on Sunday announced a 15-player squad for the ODI series.

In the absence of senior players, veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side, as he has done in the recent past. Shreyas Iyer will be the vice-captain for the series.

However, the notable point is that India hasn't named Mohammed Shami and Umran Malik for the series. They might travel with the team as a reserve for the T20 World Cup.

A few new faces have been added to the side. Rahul Tripathi and Shahbaz Ahmed have got their places back in the team. It will be interesting to see whether they will get a chance to make their debuts or not. Apart from them, Rajat Patidar gets his maiden call-up to the national side after some consistent scoring at domestic level.

However, one surprise name in the side is Bengal right-arm pacer Mukesh Kumar, who has also got his maiden call, while Sanju Samson, who led India "A" against New Zealand "A", is also in the team with his other teammates.

Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav are in the team. Mohammed Siraj and Deepak Chahar also made it into the side. Both pacers are considered the backups for the injured Jasprit Bumrah. So the management wants them to have some matchtime under their belt.

Both teams will play three ODIs on October 6, 9 and 11 at Lucknow, Ranchi and New Delhi. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma and his team will travel to Australia on October 6 for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.

India Squad for SA ODIs: Shikhar Dhawan (s), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubhman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Rajat Patidar, Deepak Chahar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar.