India are preparing for an important white-ball assignment in South Africa, but the biggest concern for the selectors right now is Shubman Gill’s fitness. The young opener, who also took over India’s ODI captaincy earlier this year, is expected to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series due to a neck injury sustained during the Kolkata Test. While Gill is unavailable for the second Test in Guwahati, reports suggest he will also sit out of the ODIs starting November 30 in Ranchi.

Selectors Ajit Agarkar, RP Singh and Devajit Saikia are set to meet in Guwahati for discussions before officially naming the squads for both ODIs and T20Is. The meeting takes place in the middle of the Test series, and several factors are complicating decisions, including ongoing injury concerns for multiple senior players. Hardik Pandya is still recovering, Shreyas Iyer is ruled out until March due to a spleen laceration, and now Gill’s continued absence has made the captaincy slot vacant.

Rahul, Pant or Axar? India weigh leadership choices for South Africa ODIs

According to BCCI sources quoted in PTI and Times of India reports, Gill has been advised additional rest by medical specialists and will not be rushed back. The board, however, remains optimistic that he will return for the five-match T20I series that follows.

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With Gill sidelined, three names have emerged as the frontrunners to lead India in the ODIs: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel. Rahul has prior leadership experience in the format and remains a stable middle-order option. Pant, who is already captaining the Test team in Gill’s absence in Guwahati, could continue his leadership in white-ball cricket as well. Meanwhile, Axar Patel’s steady rise as a multi-format contributor has seen him enter the captaincy conversation too.

Veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to feature in the ODIs, adding much-needed experience to the squad. In terms of replacements for Gill, options like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad could come into play, depending on team balance and combinations.

The focus now shifts to the selectors’ upcoming announcement, which will reveal how India plan to tackle the challenge of a South African tour without several key players, and who steps up to take charge.