The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee on Sunday announced the India squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa will begin on November 30, with the opening game slated to take place at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.

Following the conclusion of Day 2's play of the ongoing second and final Test of the series between India and South Africa in Guwahati, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, met in Mumbai later that day to finalise India's 15‐man ODI squad.

With just a week away from the opening match of the ODI series against South Africa, the BCCI finalised the squad, ensuring a balanced combination of experienced players and promising talents to take on the Proteas. With Shubman Gill ruled out, KL Rahul has been appointed as the stand-in captain for the South Africa ODI series.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Returns to ODI squad

One of the biggest news from India's squad announcement is that Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to the ODI squad. Ruturaj's inclusion in the 15-member ODI squad was based on his performance in the three-match unofficial series for India A against South Africa A in Kanpur, where he scored 210 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 105.00 in three matches.

Maharashtra cricketer's last appearance in ODI cricket was against South Africa in 2023, and since then, he has been focusing on domestic performances and India A tours to earn a recall to the national side. Despite consistently performing well in List A cricket, especially for India A and Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ruturaj had to wait patiently for an opportunity to return to the national side.

BACK WITH A BANG! Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes a classy 100 for India A vs South Africa A.Maharashtra's run-machine delivers again. twitter/6NkRt0X0F8

- Maharashtra Cricket Association (@MahaCricket) November 13, 2025

With his performance in the unofficial ODI series against South Africa, Ruturaj Gaikwad earned back his spot in the national side. After two years, Maharashtra captain got another opportunity to prove his mettle on the international stage and stake a claim for a regular spot in India's ODI lineup.

With Shubman Gill being ruled out of the ODI series, and opener's slot is open, allowing players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal to stake their claim and cement their place in the playing XI. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja and Tilak Varma also made their return to ODI squad for the South Africa series.

Fans Ecstatic over Ruturaj Gaikwad's ODI Recall

Ruturaj Gaikwad's inclusion in the ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa drew massive reactions from fans and cricket enthusiasts, who were thrilled to see the talented Maharashtra batter getting another opportunity to prove his skills on an international stage.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts anticipated Ruturaj Gaikwad's ODI recall given his recent performances in the unofficial series against South Africa A, while others were elated over the opportunity to see fresh talent make an impact in the upcoming ODI series.

Meet Ruturaj Gaikwad trolled him, made jokes about him, called him waterboy & what not instead of posting emotional stories, bro kept performing in domestic cricket. Then he got chance in India A and scored 100. And Finally got selected in Indian team as well.... twitter/5JsnvCPzrv

- Selfless45 (@SelflessCricket) November 23, 2025

No indian squardNo media favouriteInjuriesCriticismNo senior backingStill he shines and it's time to shine in blues.... Remember the name SIR RUTURAJ GAIKWAD #IndianCricket #RuturajGaikwad #INDvsSA twitter/wVwHxv3Cy9

- Aryan MsDian (@aryan_raj206s) November 23, 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad ate comeback todayhad to score 4 back to back 100s in 4 different tournamentshad to win 4 back to back POTMshad to conclude with a POTS as wellAll these in span of just 4 months. twitter/qVD5QiNLvo

- ✍ (@imAnthoni_) November 23, 2025

Pleased for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He could be a good player in this format.

- Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) November 23, 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad is back to Indian team for SA series after his stellar performance in domestic cricket, the real game twitter/tcQKA1Jkwo

- (@Vidyadhar_R) November 23, 2025

They mocked him as a waterboy even a 'waterboy' stacked POTMs & POTS on his own PR. No politics. No backing. No excuses vs KeralaPOTM vs ChandigarhPOTM & POTS vs SA ANow he's back!!not because someone pushed him...but because he forced the door open twitter/HrMYvTwL1l

- Ruturaj Gaikwad FC (@SparkleRuturaj) November 23, 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad's selection is highlight of the day. - Hopefully he gets rewarded by inclusion in XI for his tremendous consistent List A performances. - Tilak Varma was playing with 55 strike rate against South Africa A & Ruturaj Gaikwad won twitter/oUXe1iEN7b

- Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 23, 2025

FINALLY RUTURAJ IS BACK - Ruturaj Gaikwad Added In ODI Squad Vs SA twitter/vSYFYNMFQ1

- Aravind (@TVFP2) November 23, 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad coming back in ODI'S against South Africa is clearly the indication of his attitude. Bro has made it with a lot of grind, made thousands of runs, countless batting sessions. He just smashed the door of selectors. I know he is unlikely to feature in the 11 but... twitter/qjBck33Iwt

- Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) November 23, 2025

After a very long wait, the day has come when I saw Ruturaj Gaikwad's name in the main team. #RuturajGaikwad #Odi #rutu #BCCI

- The Story Vault (@RealtyCheck09) November 23, 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad is back to Indian team for SA series after his stellar performance in domestic cricket. twitter/oSVEgquHCa

- Ranjan Kumar (@Ranjanparmar000) November 23, 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad has a not-so-good record in ODIs, aggregating 119 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 19.16 in six matches. However, Maharashtra batter has an impressive record in List A cricket, amassing 4534 runs, including 17 centuries and 18 fifties, at an average of 57.39 in 89 matches.

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