IND vs SA Team Announcement: Amid swirling rumors suggesting Rohit Sharma might not lead India’s T20I side in their South African tour, an Indian Express report confirms Sharma will indeed captain the national team in the shortest format against South Africa. As per the report, KL Rahul is set to lead in ODIs, while Rohit will also helm the Test side. The BCCI top brass, currently in the Capital, is reviewing the ODI World Cup 2023 and finalizing squads for the South African tour.
Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the BCCI of his unavailability for the white-ball formats during the South African tour. Meanwhile, discussions have ensued regarding Rohit’s role in T20Is. Initially, reports suggested Rohit had requested not to be considered for the T20Is. However, with the T20 World Cup 2024 on the horizon, the management appears inclined towards Rohit leading the team in the mega event. Recently, the BCCI extended head coach Rahul Dravid and his support staff’s contracts until the T20 World Cup next year.
Both Rohit and Kohli have not played in T20Is for India since the Men in Blue’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals. Additionally, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are reportedly absent from the Indian Test squad for the South Africa series.
Key highlights from the team announcements
- Sanju Samson has secured a spot in the ODI team, while Rajat Patidar, who recovered from an injury, finds a place in the Indian ODI squad.
- Suryakumar Yadav has been rested from the ODI side due to continuous cricketing engagements.
- Shreyas Iyer has returned to the Test team. Notably, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were not included. The Indian selection committee opted for Iyer over Rahane in Tests because Rahane made a comeback into the team after Iyer’s injury. As Iyer has regained fitness, both the selection committee and Indian captain Rohit Sharma believed Iyer should rejoin the Indian side.
- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin have been named in the Indian Test team.
- Kuldeep Yadav has been selected for the Indian T20I team.
India’s South Africa tour schedule
– T20Is:
1st T20I – December 10, 2023, at 9:30 PM IST in Kingsmead, Durban
2nd T20I – December 12, 2023, at 9:30 PM IST in St George’s Park, Gqeberha
3rd T20I – December 14, 2023, at 9:30 PM IST in New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
– ODIs:
1st ODI – December 17, 2023, at 1:30 PM IST in New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
2nd ODI – December 19, 2023, at 4:30 PM IST in St George’s Park, Gqeberha
3rd ODI – December 21, 2023, at 4:30 PM IST in Boland Park, Paarl
– Tests:
1st Test – December 26-30, 2023, at 1:30 PM IST in SuperSport Park, Centurion
2nd Test – January 3-7, 2024, at 2:00 PM IST in Newlands, Cape Town
