Ranchi: Before the ODI series versus South Africa, Indian players reaching MS Dhoni's Ranchi home one by one remained a topic of discussion. Like every time, this time too, as soon as the team reached Dhoni's city, many players went to meet him at his house. This timeworn tradition not only lightens the team undercurrent but moreover creates a positive energy among the players surpassing the big match.
The thwarting of losing the Test series is still fresh, but the soul language of the players in Ranchi shows that the team is in a mood to reset as soon as possible.
The team got a big morale from the return of Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, who returned to the ODI team, was one of the players who attracted the most attention. His return without a bad test series will help reinvigorate the batting order.
India will play the first ODI on November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium. The Indian team, which has performed brilliantly here in 2022, is looking at this match as a new beginning. With the presence of Rohit Sharma, both the leadership and strategy of the team are expected to get the right direction again.
Virat Kohli and Rishabh pant and Ruturaj Gaikwad were invited for dinner at MS Dhoni's farmhouse in Ranchi tonight.
( hookah party) Gang pic.twitter.com/koG3OySiyK
— Aditya (@AdityaBhatia009) November 27, 2025Eyes on Pant, endangerment to leave overdue bad test form
Rishabh Pant moreover reached Ranchi and once then remained in the limelight. Pant, who took over the captaincy without Shubman Gill's injury in the Guwahati Test, scored only 49 runs in four innings. He faced criticism for poor shot selection and publicly apologized for the team's performance.
Now he has returned to the ODI team and has a big endangerment to leave overdue the thwarting of the Test series. Since Shubman Gill is not a part of this series, Pant may get increasingly responsibility in the middle order. His last ODI was played in August 2024.
Rishabh pant Reached MS Dhoni's House for a Dinner party
- Msd and Rishabh Pant Bond #RishabhPant #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/tJbMOb2P4r
— Anshuman (@_spideyyy17) November 27, 2025The strength of the top order increased with the return of Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad was moreover among those who reached Dhoni's house. Without his sunny performance in domestic cricket, he has then got a place in the ODI team. His presence adds stability and depth to the top order. Both Pant and Gaikwad seem drastic to capitalize on their opportunities, which moreover shows good competition within the team.
A new focus of the team seen in Ranchi camp
It is well-spoken from the presence of players in Ranchi that the undercurrent of the team is united and positive. The combination of waffly the format, the return of senior players, and the hunger of young players has filled the team with new energy. India will try to start this ODI series on a strong note and regain its momentum, leaving overdue the thwarting of the Test series.
