Rahul has shown a lot of flexibility in the series, first with the bat and then putting his hand up for keeping.
Shubman Gill is set to use the Vijay Hazare Trophy as his first platform for response after being left out of India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad.
None of South Africa's top players will be available for their respective IPL sides in the first couple of games.
Mayank Agarwal stroked a fluent century to lead Karnataka's fightback after Auqib Nabi's three-wicket haul had put Jammu and Kashmir in control, on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final.
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir expects K L Rahul to have a stupendous IPL campaign when the T20 league resumes in the UAE on Sunday.
India's absolute dominance at home will come under examination when they meet a determined New Zealand in the decisive third ODI at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.
Pant cops blow during nets ahead of ODI series against New Zealand
K L Rahul came in for harsh criticism from former India medium pacer Venkatesh Prasad who claimed the opener's selection was based on "favouritism'.
Even as the focus remains on the T20 World Cup which is less than a month away, Kohli and Rohit will hog the limelight in the three ODIs over the next seven days.
Devdutt Padikkal, who appears to have found a magic bat of sorts and is scoring runs at will, will hold the key to Karnataka's chances as they take on Vidarbha in the first semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Virat Kohli's second successive hundred was not enough as South Africa, aided by Aiden Markram's ton, chased down a target of 359 to clinch a four-wicket win and level their one-day international (ODI) series 1-1 in Raipur on Wednesday.
Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul said Ayush Badoni is a strong 360-degree player and an asset for white-ball cricket in India.
While Rahul, who can bat practically anywhere in the line-up, is likely to succeed Rohit as Jaiswal's opening partner, either Gill or Karun Nair is likely to fill the void of Kohli at number four.
Kohli's 124 in vain as New Zealand beat India by 41 runs in 3rd ODI to clinch series 2-1
In India's first innings, only Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 off 97 balls) and Washington Sundar (48 off 92 balls) could contribute substantially as the home team suffered a batting collapse after starting the day at 9 for no loss.
Rahul now has the most centuries by an Indian opener.
Rishabh Pant's place in the playing eleven is far from guaranteed, while Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are locked in a tight contest for the additional all-rounder's slot as India confront several selection dilemmas ahead of the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi.
With over 500 runs, six crucial catches, the most by an Indian on the tour, Rahul led by example and lived up to his wiseman tag.
India have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the second ODI in Raipur.
With the England series behind him, Rahul is soaking up every moment of fatherhood -- making up for lost time with Evaarah and cherishing the quieter joys of life off the field.
K L Rahul and B Sai Sudharsan struck sublime hundreds as India A registered a stunning five-wicket win over Australia A while hunting down a target of 413 to seal the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0, in Lucknow, on Friday.
'As much as we may want, unka number itni aasani se nahi aayega (It's not going to be easy for Rahul)'
'Nothing wrong with his methods but changes in approach may help Rahul'
'I am getting used to managing this side.'
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav admitted that he is "bad with DRS" appeals after his hilarious banter with senior pro Rohit Sharma formed a nice, little subplot of India's series-clinching victory against South Africa in the third ODI in Visakhapatnam.
IMAGES from the first ODI played between India and New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday
There has been no change in KL Rahul's wretched form even after his comeback from suspension but India 'A' coach Rahul Dravid is not worried as he has confidence in the talented opener's quality.
KL Rahul's struggling run in the opening slot has left former India opener Wasim Jaffer baffled and he believes the Karnataka player seems caught in an unsolved jigsaw puzzle despite having the ability to do well.
India beat West Indies by seven wickets in the second and final Test to complete a 2-0 series sweep at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
Auqib Nabi, Jammu and Kashmir's key bowler, is focused on performing well in the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka, aiming to leverage his adaptive skills and contribute to his team's success.
Grind pays off for Ruturaj Gaikwad, now upto him and luck to prove his 50-over mettle.
KL Rahul scored only 13 on his return from suspension but India A sealed the ODI series against England Lions with a comfortable 60-run win taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
KL Rahul kept the wickets in the limited overs series against Australia in January this year and also during the team's tour to New Zealand. The pressure to replace Dhoni behind the stumps was 'immense' due to high expectations from fans said Rahul.
'India never began well, and that's one of the main reasons they weren't able to chase these big scores,'
Rahul had not yet joined his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals for the impending birth of his child.
As India got off to a strong start in the must-win fourth Test for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, opener K L Rahul achieved a major career milestone, joining an elite list of Indian batters with 1,000 or more Test runs in England.
On field Axar bhai is very motivated, off field the funniest guy to be around: Abhishek Porel
Save Shreyas Iyer, who will take a lot more time to get fit, others are expected to represent their state teams.
Ever since he saw him bat for the first time, as a tiny 11-year-old at his academy, Mangalore-based Karnataka State Cricket Association coach Samuel Jayaraj knew KL Rahul was destined for bigger things.
'There was a time when I was in a quality over quantity mindset in international cricket and did not hit enough balls. Now I am back to enjoying hitting a lot of balls in the nets.'
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