IND vs SA 2025: 'Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli make team environment better, help youngsters to improve' - Harshit Rana

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two of the greatest batters to have represented India. They are two pillars of the current Indian team in ODI cricket. On Sunday, November 30, during the first ODI between India and South Africa in Ranchi, they showed that their bats can still do the talking and help the Men in Blue dominate opposition teams.

While Kohli notched up his 52nd ODI century, Rohit scored an important fifty, as India posted 349/8 in their 50 overs. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 332, handing India a 17-run win and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kohli won the Player of the Match award for his exemplary knock of 135 off 120 deliveries.

Rohit and Kohli's influence on the Indian team stretches beyond the field. Ahead of the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3, Indian pacer Harshit Rana explained what it means to the youngsters to share the dressing room with the two icons of the game. The Delhi speedster said the presence of Rohit and Kohli uplifts the mood in the camp, and the talismanic duo pushes the youngsters in the team to improve.

“It’s a big deal for me and obviously for the whole team. If such experienced players stay with you in the field and in the dressing room, then the environment of the team is very good," Rana said ahead of the 2nd ODI against South Africa, speaking about the influence of the senior duo.

“Even if you are off the field, or in the dressing room, it’s a happy environment for the whole team. Everyone looks to better themselves because in their mind, it’s always with the youngsters where they always tell us what we could do better," he added.

'It all just makes the series a lot more exciting' - Temba Bavuma on facing Rohit-Kohli duo

Meanwhile, South African captain Temba Bavuma asserted that his team is looking forward to facing Rohit and Kohli once again. The diminutive cricketer missed the first ODI but is set to feature in the second, taking charge of the team from stand-in captain Aiden Markram.

"Nothing new, we have come across it. We have been on the bad end of it. But we have also had good times against them. It all just makes the series a lot more exciting," Bavuma said on facing Rohit and Kohli.