New Delhi – The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the squad for the India South Africa Tests series on Tuesday, bringing significant changes to the red-ball lineup. The two-match series, scheduled to begin on November 14, marks the much-anticipated return of Rishabh Pant to Test cricket while notable pacer Mohammed Shami continues his extended absence from the national squad despite strong domestic performances.
Rishabh Pant’s Comeback as Vice-Captain
The headline announcement for the India South Africa Tests centered on Rishabh Pant’s return to the Test squad, where he has been named vice-captain under Shubman Gill’s leadership. The wicketkeeper-batter successfully proved his fitness during India A games against South Africa A, demonstrating his readiness for international cricket after a prolonged injury layoff.
Pant had suffered a foot fracture during the England tour, which forced him to miss crucial assignments including the Asia Cup, West Indies Tests, and the Australia series. His road to recovery culminated in an impressive performance for India A, where he scored a crucial 90-run knock in the second innings of a 275-run chase, underlining his return to form and match fitness.
The India South Africa Tests will see Pant resume his vice-captaincy duties, a role that acknowledges both his leadership potential and his importance to the team’s batting and wicketkeeping departments. His return provides India with a significant boost ahead of the crucial World Test Championship series.
Shami’s Continued Exclusion Raises Questions
Despite impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy, Mohammed Shami has been excluded from the India South Africa Tests squad, marking another setback in his quest to return to international cricket. The pacer’s omission has raised eyebrows among cricket observers, particularly given his strong domestic form.
Sources suggest that the current team management has been preferring other pace options over Shami in recent selection decisions. While his exclusion would have been considered a major surprise previously, the pattern of recent selections indicates a shift in the team’s pace bowling strategy for the India South Africa Tests.
In Shami’s absence, pacer Akash Deep has earned a recall to the Test squad, providing India with an additional pace bowling option for the important home series. Deep’s inclusion suggests the selectors’ confidence in his ability to perform in subcontinental conditions.
India A Squad Composition
Alongside the main India South Africa Tests squad announcement, the selectors also revealed the India A team for the three-match 50-over series against South Africa A. Notably, senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not been included in this squad, indicating their focus on preparing for the main Test series.
Tilak Varma will captain the India A one-day team, with Ruturaj Gaikwad serving as vice-captain. The wicketkeeping department features Ishan Kishan and Prabhsimran Singh, providing depth and competition for the position. This India A squad serves as an important platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities against quality opposition.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Preparation Strategy
On Sunday, India’s team management released spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the T20I squad currently in Australia, allowing him to join the India A side for their second four-day match against South Africa A. This fixture, scheduled to begin on November 6 at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, forms part of Kuldeep’s preparation for the India South Africa Tests.
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The decision to release Kuldeep from white-ball duties underscores the importance the team management places on ensuring their key spinners are properly prepared for the Test series. This strategic move allows Kuldeep valuable match practice in longer-format cricket ahead of the main series.
South Africa’s Squad and Bavuma’s Return
For the India South Africa Tests, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is set to return to the Test squad after recovering from a calf injury that sidelined him during the recent Pakistan tour. Bavuma will lead a 15-member squad for the two Tests scheduled in Kolkata from November 14-18 and Guwahati from November 22-26.
Bavuma’s return necessitated changes to South Africa’s squad composition. He replaces David Bedingham, who has been left out of the touring party. Additionally, spinner Prenelan Subrayen is the other omission from the squad, indicating South Africa’s strategic approach to Indian conditions.
World Test Championship Implications
The India South Africa Tests carry significant importance for India’s World Test Championship aspirations. The two-match series provides crucial opportunities to accumulate points and strengthen their position in the WTC standings. With the series beginning November 14, both teams will be eager to assert their dominance in the longest format.
Workload Management Concerns
Jasprit Bumrah’s workload remains under scrutiny as India approaches the India South Africa Tests. The management must carefully balance his participation to ensure his fitness throughout the demanding international schedule, particularly given his importance to India’s pace attack across all formats.
The squad announcements for the India South Africa Tests reflect a blend of returning stars, recalled performers, and strategic selections aimed at maximizing India’s chances in this crucial home series. As November 14 approaches, attention will focus on how these selections translate into on-field performance against a competitive South African side.
