India’s all-format tour of South Africa kicked off with a drawn T20I series. Now, the Men in Blue will face the Proteas in a three-match ODI series, starting on December 17 in Johannesburg.

On the eve of the opening ODI, stand-in skipper KL Rahul addressed a press conference, where he revealed that young batter Rinku Singh will most likely make his ODI debut against South Africa.

Rinku has impressed Rahul with his performances in the shortest format for India. The southpaw has played 12 T20Is so far, scoring 262 runs at an average and strike rate of 65.50 and 180.69 respectively.

In the absence of several first-choice players, Rinku will get a perfect chance to make his mark in the 50-over format.

"What has been good to see is the temperament and game awareness that he (Rinku) has shown in the T20I series. He has shown how good a player he has been. We have seen the calmness. That has been very refreshing for me to see as well on the television. He has performed really well across formats in first-class cricket. He will get his opportunity even in the ODI series," Rahul said in pre-series presser.

Rahul also opened up on his role in the team, saying that he will be batting in the middle order besides fulfilling his keeping duties.

"I will be doing wicket-keeping & batting in middle order in this ODI series. I am happy to take any role in the Test series which the captain, the coach and the management wants. Of course, even in T20, I want to play for my country," he remarked.

KL Rahul further stated that Sanju Samson will be batting in the middle order for India during the ODI series in South Africa.

"Yeah, I think Sanju will bat in the middle-order and that is the role he has played in ODI cricket. He will bat at either five or six and he will play that role. For now, I am going to do wicket-keeping in this series but if there is an opportunity then at some point, he will also keep the wickets," the captain said.