BCCI has announced the Test squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa where India will play three Test matches. KL Rahul, whose inconsistent form has been a point of concern for the selection committee, has been dropped, which has made a way for Rohit Sharma to open the innings for the Indian team. Chief selector MSK Prasad had already hinted of promoting Rohit up the order in the longer format as well.
Read: Rohit Sharma in contention to open in Tests in place of KL Rahul
Meanwhile, young talented batsman, Shubman Gill got his maiden Test call-up after he top scored for India A in the tour of West Indies and was awarded man of the series. Two more youngsters in Mayank Agrawal and Hanuma Vihari, who have been performing well in the five-day format, have retained their places in the squad after a successful tour of West Indies. Vihari finished as the highest run getter in two matches, scoring 289 runs.
India’s squad for 3 Tests: Virat Kohli (Capt), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk),Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 12, 2019
India's squad for Test series vs South Africa:
Virat Kohli (C), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (WK),Wriddhiman Saha (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
India will play three T20Is this month before the Test series, which starts from 2nd October in Vishakhapatnam.
India vs South Africa Test Series Schedule:
First Test – 2nd Oct to 6th Oct (Vishakhapatnam)
Second Test – 10th Oct to 14th Oct (Pune)
Third Test – 19th Oct to 23rd Oct (Ranchi)
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Randy Brooks
