Talented Gujarat Titans batter makes ODI debut for India

As India gets ready for their first ODI against the Proteas in Johannesburg today (December 17), the Men in Blue will have a new debutant playing his first international game in the 50-overs format. It's none other than talented Gujarat Titans young batter Sai Sudarshan, who looks all set to make a mark in his maiden outing. 

Sai Sudharsan received his debut cap for the Indian cricket team during the pre-match huddle at the renowned venue. KL Rahul, the stand-in captain, presented him the cap and addressed the team.

Sai Sudharsan earned this opportunity based on his consistent performance over the past few years in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. KL Rahul, leading the Indian side in ODIs for the second consecutive time in South Africa, chose Sudharsan over Rinku Singh and Rajat Patidar, who are also part of the ODI squad.

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Sai Sudharsan is slated to open alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is making a return to the ODI side after being sidelined in the recently-concluded T20I series. Axar Patel, who missed the T20Is, is also back in the squad. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer will feature in the white-ball tour for the last time, as he is set to join the Test team after the upcoming game to prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.

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Sai Sudharsan had the chance to acclimate to South African conditions by playing in the first of the three unofficial warm-up matches for India A against South Africa A from December 11 in Potchefstroom, where he made 14 in the only innings he played.

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