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According to fresh reports, Indian top-order batter Shikhar Dhawan is likely to lead the squad in upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting from October 6 in Ranchi. Reports quoting BCCI sources have stated that T20 World Cup-bound players will be rested from the ODI series against South Africa as Dhawan is once again expected to lead a younger squad.

The ANI has reported that current head coach of the Indian national cricket team Rahul Dravid will also not take part in the ODI series, instead VVS Laxman, who is the head of National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru will join the squad as a stand-in head coach. The likes of Rahul Tripathi, and Umran Malik are likely to be part of the squad against South Africa. T20 World Cup-bound Indian Team is likely to leave for Australia on October 9-10 in order to attend intra-squad practice matches before the warm-up games. 

Report published in Inside Sport claimed that Rahul Dravid wants KL Rahul, Harshal Patel and Jasprit Bumrah to participate in the ODI series against South Africa in order to horn their skills before highly anticipated World Cup. "The matter will be put to discussion and decision will be taken in due time," a BCCI official was quoted as saying. 

Notably, KL Rahul returned to the national set-up against West Indies and was also part of the T20 Asia Cup 2022 squad. However, he could not perform up to the reputation throughout the tournament but made noteworthy contribution with his 62 off 41 deliveries in the last game against Afghanistan on September 8 (Friday).

India vs South Africa ODI schedule: 

1st ODI: October 6, (Thursday), in Ranchi

2nd ODI: October 9, (Sunday) in Lucknow

3rd ODI: October 11, (Tuesday) in Delhi