South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has welcomed the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India’s ODI setup, admitting that their presence adds a special buzz to the upcoming three-match series. With Ranchi preparing to host the first ODI, Bavuma acknowledged that the home crowd will be thrilled to see two of India’s biggest icons back in action.
However, he also made it clear that South Africa will approach them with the same strategic clarity they apply to any top-tier opposition. Rohit and Kohli now feature exclusively in ODIs, and with India scheduled to play just six matches over the next two months—three against South Africa and another three versus New Zealand—the spotlight on the veteran duo is brighter than ever.
Speaking to Star Sports, Temba Bavuma said that South Africa understands the kind of influence both Rohit and Kohli carry in Indian cricket. “I think it is exciting for the locals, having the two living legends come back and play on Indian soil for a while. There is a different type of energy when those two big guys are around, so it is something that we will really be looking forward to,” Bavuma said.
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The return of Rohit and Kohli comes at a crucial juncture for India, who are searching for momentum after back-to-back defeats in both Tests and limited-overs cricket. The series offers the perfect stage for the senior duo to reset the narrative and re-establish India’s stability at the top.
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Yet, despite the aura surrounding them, Bavuma insisted South Africa won’t deviate from their standard preparation. He emphasised that while both players demand respect, the Proteas will continue to trust their planning and tactical structure.
“Like with any other players, we will do our preparation around them and come up with whatever tactics we feel are necessary. We know the energy is going to be a bit different, but it is an exciting one,” Temba Bavuma added.
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Ranchi also holds sentimental value for Rohit Sharma—it was at this very JSCA Stadium in 2013 that he was elevated to a full-time opener, a decision that transformed India’s ODI landscape for the next decade.
