India's ODI captaincy for the South Africa series has become a talking point after Shubman Gill's neck injury in the opening Test in Kolkata.
With Gill likely set to be ruled out in the second Test, his participation in the ODIs remains uncertain.
Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is also dealing with an injury concern, which adds more uncertainty to India's plans.
As the series begins on November 30, the India selectors are expected to name a stand-in captain if Gill does not recover in time.
Top alternative captaincy options for IND vs SA ODIs
KL Rahul: The leading choice, says Mohammad Kaif
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes KL Rahul is the most suitable option if Gill is unavailable. Kaif said Rahul's past captaincy experience and seniority make him the "practical" pick for the ODI series.
"I feel KL Rahul is an option.. I feel he will lead the side in the ODI series," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
MORE: Shubman Gill injury latest updates
Can Rohit Sharma still return as ODI captain for the series?
Although Kaif does not expect the selectors to approach Rohit, his name naturally comes up due to his experience. Rohit has not captained India in recent bilateral ODIs, and there is currently no reporting that suggests he will be asked to take over.
If the management wants stability and a familiar voice, Rohit is still someone they can turn to.
India will host South Africa for ODIs on November 30 (Ranchi), December 3 (Raipur), and December 6 (Visakhapatnam). The final decision on captaincy is expected ahead of the squad announcement.