India and South Africa are playing a 2-match Test series. The first game starts on December 26 at Supersport Park in Centurion, and the second one’s on January 3 at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. Before this, India won the ODI series 2-1 and tied the T20I series 1-1.
India’s never won a Test series in South Africa, even though they’re ranked number 1 in ICC test rankings. Led by Rohit Sharma, they’re eager to change that this time. But South Africa’s fast bowlers are tough competition on their home turf.
Virat Kohli Returns Home
Virat Kohli’s experience could help India win here. But just before the first Test, he had to go back to India because of a family emergency. Though there’s a chance he might join the team for the 1st Test in Centurion. The role of Virat Kohli is crucial for India’s performance in the Test series against South Africa.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out of South Africa Test Series
Another setback for India is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s finger injury. He hurt his finger during the 2nd ODI and won’t be able to play in the Test series. He injured his ring finger during the 2nd ODI and consequently was not part of the 3rd ODI. Unfortunately, Ruturaj Gaikwad missed his maiden Test cap for India.
So, the team is looking for someone to fill Ruturaj Gaikwad’s spot. They’re thinking of Abhimanyu Eswaran, who used to lead India A, and Sarfaraz Khan, who’s been doing well in domestic games. Abhimanyu Eswaran plays for Bengal in domestic cricket, while Sarfaraz Khan has been waiting for a chance to play for India in a Test match.
Important to note, that experienced players like Rahane and Pujara aren’t part of the Test squad. The Indian cricket board wants to bring in new, younger players for the team’s future.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were not part of the white-ball cricket. Both opted to sit out for both T20Is and ODIs. They are both playing their first match after the heartbreaking World Cup final loss.
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Squads for India vs. South Africa Test Series
India Test Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Mohd Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna
South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.