IND vs SA Test Series: Wicketkeeper-batsman and vice-captain Rishabh Pant has returned to the Indian team for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, starting on November 14 in Kolkata. While the second match of the series will be played on November 22 in Guwahati, which will make its debut as a Test venue.
Rishabh Pant returns after three months
The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar chose the team in an online meeting on Wednesday. Rishabh Pant has replaced N Jagadeesan, while fast bowler Akash Deep has returned to the Test team in place of Prasidh Krishna. Rishabh Pant missed the 2-0 Test series against West Indies due to a leg injury sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July.
Rishabh played against Africa A
28-year-old Rishabh Pant captained India A to victory in the first four-day match against South Africa A at the BCCI Center of Excellence ground in Bengaluru. During that time he has proved his match fitness and readiness. He scored 90 runs in the second innings, helping India A achieve the target of 275 runs in a thrilling manner.
undergo rehab for back injury
On the other hand, fast bowler Akash Deep had to undergo rehab for a back injury after the England tour, ruling him out of the Duleep Trophy. Since then, he has played for Rest of India in the Irani Cup and has returned to the team, taking four wickets in Bengal’s home matches against Uttarakhand and Gujarat in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
World Test Championship points table
Currently, India is placed third in the World Test Championship points table with 61.90 percent points, while South Africa is placed fifth with 50 percent points after a 1-1 draw with Pakistan. After this Test series, India and South Africa will play three ODIs and five T20Is.
India A team also announced
The BCCI has also announced the India A squad to play a three-match 50-over series against South Africa ‘A’ on November 13, 16 and 19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. In that team, left-handed batsman Tilak Verma has been named the captain and Ruturaj Gaikwad as the vice-captain. Other capped Indian players include Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Khaleel Ahmed.
India’s test team
Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep.
india a team
Tilak Verma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Khaleel Ahmed.
Input- IANS