India stand-in captain KL Rahul says the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has lifted the squad’s confidence after the South Africa Test setback.

The Proteas inflicted a record 408-run defeat on India in the second Test in Guwahati on Wednesday to clinch the series 2-0.

It was India’s fifth defeat in their past seven home Tests dating back just over a year to New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep.

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India now head into a three-match ODI series with South Africa, starting on Sunday.

Star batsmen Kohli and Rohit, who have retired from Test and T20I cricket, have returned for the 50-over matches.

“Their importance at any time is huge,” Rahul told a news conference in Ranchi in eastern India. “To have senior players in the team makes the dressing room feel a lot more confident and their presence and experience helps a lot of players in the dressing room. I am really happy they are here.”

Rahul, who is leading the side in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill, also admitted that the team was “disappointed and hurt” at losing the Test series.

“But it’s important to forget that and focus on how to win this [ODI] series. That conversation is happening,” he said.

The one-day series will be followed by five T20Is.

– AFP

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