Ranchi odi

JSCA International Stadium: Stand-in skipper KL Rahul said the team will be ‘more excited’ if the legendary MS Dhoni turns up to watch the opening ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium on Sunday. India are looking to rebound from a 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa through the ODI series opener in Dhoni’s hometown.

Rahul debuted in ODIs under Dhoni’s captaincy with a century in Harare in 2016, and is set to reprise a dual role which the latter played for a long time - taking the wicketkeeping gloves while leading the side from behind the stumps and batting as a finisher.

“We've all played under him. We've been his fans, and we've all played together. So we are all friends, and to know someone like MS, it’s a very happy opportunity to know someone as big as MS and someone who is so successful as an Indian player and we all respect him as a human being.