The BCCI confirmed on Thursday (November 30) that KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav will lead India’s short overs squads in South Africa. Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were left out of the ODI and T20I squads, with the board announcing that the pair had requested a break from the white-ball part of the tour.
The selectors have made several changes to the ODI team for the three-match series, including resting Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Sanju Samson are among those who have made the cut. Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Deepak Chahar have been included in the bowling squad, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami have been spared.
The test squad includes all three premier pacers, albeit Rahul and Ishan are the chosen wicketkeepers. KS Bharat has been selected captain of the India A squads and will accompany the team on their trip to South Africa. With Shreyas Iyer returning to full fitness and Ruturaj Gaikwad retaining his place, the selectors have left Ajinkya Rahane out of the Test squad. Cheteshwar Pujara was overlooked as well. The board also acknowledged that Shami is undergoing medical treatment and that his participation in the Tests will be contingent on his fitness.
Ravindra Jadeja returns to the T20I squad and is selected vice-captain for the series. Gill, who was rested from the ongoing series against Australia, has been picked, as have Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj, as well as Deepak Chahar.
Live Cricket Score learns that the tour begins on December 10 with a T20I series before the teams compete in three ODIs. India will then meet the hosts in a Boxing Day Test match on December 26 before ending the tour with the second and final Test on January 3.
