In one of the major developments with regards to Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma has now been named as India's new ODI captain. Rohit will replace Virat Kohli, who had earlier relinquished the T20I captaincy post the T20 World Cup 2021. Rohit began his captaincy stint in T20Is with a series win against New Zealand. He will now take over the ODI captaincy duties with the three-match series in South Africa. The Mumbaikar was even elevated to be named as Kohli's deputy for the Test matches.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee also decided to name Mr Rohit Sharma as the Captain of the ODI & T20I teams going forward.#TeamIndia | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/hcg92sPtCa
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2021
Selectors announces Test squad for SA Tour
The All-India senior selection committee announced India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. There were no major surprises in the squad selected for the three-match series beginning December 26. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shubhman Gill, and Rahul Chahar were considered for selection due to injury issues.
The opening duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul made a comeback after missing the Tests against New Zealand. It will be interesting to see India's opening pair for the first Test, especially after Mayank Agarwal produced a Man of the Match performance in Mumbai. While Rohit will be a definite selection, either of Agarwal or Rahul will be made to sit out for at least the first couple of Test matches.
While there were doubts raised over Ajinkya Rahane's future in the Test squad, the veteran was included in the squad in what looks like a final roll of dice in his favor. Shreyas Iyer was retained in the squad as a middle-order option after a splendid debut Test against the Kiwis at home. Rishabh Pant also made an expected comeback while Wriddhiman Saha continues to be a second-choice option in the playing XI.
Hanuma Vihari, who was unexpectedly left out of the Test side for the New Zealand series, was included in the main squad. Vihari is currently playing for India A in a three-match series against South Africa A.
India prefer to chose six pace bowling options
India might looks thin on their spin bowling resources with R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav being the only two frontline options available for selection. The Kohli-led side will carry a heavy pace battery with as many as six probable options in the squad. The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Mohammad Siraj, look like sure starters in the first Test at Centurion. Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur form the rest of the squad.
India's Test Squad: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant(wk), Wriddhiman Saha(wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj.
