The Indian T20I side arrived in Raipur for the second ODI against South Africa after taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with their nervy 17-run victory in the opening clash at the JSCA Cricket Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the second encounter will take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. 

The players were spotted settling before the contest as a particular moment grabbed several eyeballs online. Virat Kohli was seen to be engaged in a serious-looking conversation with the selection Pragyan Ojha at the airport. That has sparked some questions around the social with the body language hinting at a serious exchange rather than casual small talk, triggering widespread speculation among the fans.

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Kohli was in awesome form in Ranchi as he celebrated a feat that no one had achieved. He brought up his 52nd century in the ODI format, which is the most by any batter in a single format, going past Sachin Tendulkar’s 51 Test centuries. Kohli smashed 135 runs in 120 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and seven sixes.

Watch: Virat Kohli’s conversation with Pragyan Ojha before IND vs SA 2nd ODI in Raipur goes viral

Rohit Sharma also played his part for a fine knock of 57 runs in 51 balls and broke Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for the most sixes in ODI history. The right-handed batter has now cracked up 352 sixes in the 50-over format, which has crossed Afridi’s previous record of 351 sixes.

Some serious discussion between Virat Kohli and selector pragyan Ojha. https://t.co/fS88MRytDG pic.twitter.com/UrNcMWpfx5

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 2, 2025

Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana started well with the ball as they packed up the Proteas’ top order quite cheaply, which kept India ahead massively in the game. But later on, South Africa’s lower order smashed three fine and aggressive knocks with the bat to take the game deep.

India will look to seal the series in the second game in Raipur before moving to Vizag for the third contest. They didn’t put up a great performance in the two-match Test series, facing a 0-2 series defeat against the Rainbow Nation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing for a major shake-up in both its men’s and women’s selection committees. On Friday, the board released an advertisement inviting applications for two men’s national selectors, four women’s selectors, and one junior men’s selector. The deadline for applying is September 10.

As per BCCI’s rules, candidates applying for men’s national selector positions must have played at least seven Tests and 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODIs and 20 first-class games. However, these eligibility rules don’t apply to women’s selectors or junior selectors. Another important rule is that every applicant must have retired from cricket at least five years ago.

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Currently, the women’s selection panel is headed by former left-arm spinner Neetu David, along with Aarti Vaidya, Shama Shaw, and Renu Margret. Their term ends in September, and the board is planning a complete revamp. Interestingly, this same panel recently picked the 15-member squad for the Women’s World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka from September 30.

On the men’s side, the current selection committee is led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, with members Shiv Sunder Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra, and Sridharan Sharath. According to reports, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is the frontrunner to replace Sharath from the South Zone, whose term ends next month. Sharath may return as junior chief selector, a role he had held when India won the Under-19 World Cup in 2022.

Pragyan Ojha Will Take Over as Men’s Panel Member from Sridharan Sharath

Ojha was a successful left-arm spinner, who had a successful career as a bowler in that region and an impact bowler/news-maker on turning tracks. The former India bowler, who played 24 Tests (113 wickets), has also played 40 ODIs (21 wickets), and 24 T20Is (6 wickets) since also retiring in 2020. Also, Ojha has plenty of experience, along with knowledge of the game, to suggest he should be an easy recommendation for a strong role.

BCCI Reminder - Top Players Must Play Domestic Whenever Possible

At the same time, the BCCI has also reminded state associations that centrally-contracted players must play domestic tournaments when they are available. The reminder comes after players like KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj, which was not picked for the Duleep Trophy. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that it is a reminder for the top players to strengthen the game and domestic cricket when there is no international schedule.

The final appointments will be ratified at the BCCI's Annual General Meeting expected next month. With these appointments, the board will add more energy and fresh ideas to the selection process and promote India's top players to connect with domestic cricket.

Many questioned Karun Nair’s position in the Indian side when Shubman Gill announced the playing eleven and put the Karnataka batter at number five. He was dropped after the first three games for India, where he managed 131 runs in six innings, including 111 runs in four innings at number three. 

Nair walked out at a critical position when the tourists lost captain Shubman Gill via a terrible accidental run-out where he slipped in the middle of the surface before the bowler broke the stumps. Nair remained unbeaten on 51 runs at the end of the day, as former left-arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha, highlights Karun Nair using the opportunity.

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‘When Karun Nair came out to bat, I was telling that how to keep an eye on this opportunity. There are two ways of looking at it. One is of half-glass full and the half-glass empty. It depends on how you see it, and your body reacts according to it. Your thought process goes around that. I thought he prepared well and didn’t let the added pressure get to him.’ Ojha expressed on Star Sports.

Watch: Pragyan Ojha highlights Karun Nair’s fifty during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

He spent time, and the way he celebrated the half-century will give him confidence in reaching the three-figure mark. Washington Sundar is there, and both have the ability. The job is only half done. If you want to make it a nightmare for England, you have to bat for one or two sessions.’ The former Bengal spinner added.

Solid start, cool head. 🙌#PragyanOjha applauds #KarunNair's ability to spend time at the crease and build a foundation under pressure! 💯

Will he carry this momentum into Day 2 and push #TeamIndia's score forward? 👀#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST, DAY 2 | FRI, 1st AUG, 2:30 PM |… pic.twitter.com/N3a6VvPv4y

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 1, 2025

Nair, who was dropped from the longest format after his 300-run knock in 2016 against England in Chennai, made his first fifty from the landmark. He will aim for a century on the second day.

‘Now you have got the foundation. Once you work on it, that will give you pleasure. You don’t know if one of their bowlers will come back in the form of Chris Woakes. Josh Tongue looked clueless. So, England will start various discussions on their plans. Test matches are being played like that; more than physicality, it’s about mentality.’ Ojha explained at the end of the opening day on Star Sports.