Injuries to some of the key players could open the door for newcomers when the national selectors meet to pick the squad for the ODIs versus South Africa in the next couple of days.

The first two ODIs are scheduled on January 19 and 21 in Paarl, followed by the third and final match in Cape Town on January 23.

The selectors are still awaiting new white-ball captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness status before deciding on the squad. The Test vice-captain had suffered a hamstring injury days before their departure for the three-match series in South Africa and had been since going through a rehab process at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Besides Rohit, there’s no clarity on the fitness status of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shubman Gill too. If Rohit is unavailable, KL Rahul will lead the team.

The selectors are unlikely to take any risk and will be going for fit players keeping in mind the cramped international calendar this year. Maharashtra and Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad is sure to get the nod with four centuries in five matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Another youngster who is certain to make it is Kolkata Knight Riders’ all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who is being seen as a substitute for the injured Hardik Pandya.

Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan’s inclusion seems uncertain if Rohit is available for the tour.

Rishi Dhawan, the hero of Himachal Pradesh’s Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph with 458 runs from eight matches at an average of 76.33 and 17 wickets at an economy of 6.00, could be the dark horse.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s comeback in limited-overs cricket is expected to spill on to the 50-overs format too after his impressive performance in recent T20Is. Both, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit, are learnt to have kept the off-spinner in their plans for World Cup 2023 at home.

If Jadeja misses the tour, Yuzvendra Chahal may get the nod.