The BCCI has revealed the Indian squads slated for the upcoming tour of South Africa, where India is set to engage in a series of 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and 2 Tests scheduled for December and January.
The Test squad is undergoing some shake-ups, and even though Rohit Sharma has been given the T20 captaincy, his request for a break from white-ball cricket in South Africa has been approved by the BCCI. In the upcoming two Tests starting on December 26, Jasprit Bumrah will serve as his deputy.
In the T20Is and ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul will take on the captaincy roles, respectively, as Virat Kohli has requested some time off from limited-overs matches. Suryakumar Yadav is currently leading India in the ongoing T20 International series against Australia.
The Test squads have witnessed surprising changes, with a few seasoned players being left out, marking a significant turning point in their cricketing careers.
Here are the 5 takeaways from the Indian squads announced for the IND vs SA tour:
No Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in white-ball teams:
The absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the ODI and T20I squads has become a major talking point, prompting questions about the future of these Indian cricket stalwarts in white-ball cricket. According to the BCCI, both players have requested a break from white-ball cricket for the upcoming tour, even though they are part of the Test squad. While their focus seems to be on Test matches, it has left many wondering about their potential participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
KL Rahul Is Back In Tests As Wicket Keeper Batsman:
In the Test squad discussions, the focus was on KL Rahul’s inclusion as a keeper-batsman, alongside Ishan Kishan, while KS Bharat was left out. This suggests a leaning towards selecting Rahul for the Test series, possibly due to his previous success in South Africa—remember that century in the previous tour.
Sanju Samson and Yuzvendra Chahal are back in the ODI squad; no more Suryakumar Yadav:
Sanju Samson, who was left out of the squads for the Asia Cup and World Cup, has made a comeback in the ODI squad for the upcoming South Africa series. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav, who didn’t perform as expected in the World Cup final, has been excluded. Samson will now have a chance to prove himself in South Africa, although it’s worth noting that he hasn’t been included in the T20I squad. It’s a crucial opportunity for him to make an impact. On the other hand, It’s quite intriguing that Yuzvendra Chahal got the nod over Ravi Bishnoi in the ODI squad for the India vs. South Africa series, while in the T20I squad, it’s the other way around. This presents a significant opportunity for Chahal to showcase his ODI prowess, especially considering the upcoming 2027 World Cup in South Africa. It’s a crucial series for him to convince the selectors of his value in the 50-over format.
Rinku Singh earns maiden ODI call-up:
Rinku Singh, an emerging talent among the youth, has been turning heads with his impressive skills. Despite limited opportunities, the left-hander has displayed remarkable maturity, earning well-deserved recognition for his stellar performances. His golden form has now earned him a spot in the ODI squad for India, marking his debut call-up. The chances are high that he’ll soon don the coveted ODI cap, a testament to his rising cricketing journey.
End of road for Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in Tests:
Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, seasoned players with a wealth of experience, won’t be part of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming two tests in South Africa. This seems to signal the end of the road for Rahane, who featured in the West Indies series, and for Pujara, last seen in action during the WTC Final. With the anticipated inclusion of Jaiswal, Gill, and Rahul in the playing XI, it appears that India has chosen to turn the page on the chapters of Pujara and Rahane in the team.
Comments 2