Shreyas Iyer has returned to the Indian Test team as the senior selection committee named a solid squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The only prominent name missing from the team that played two Tests against the West Indies in July is Ajinkya Rahane, who has been axed from the side that will be headed by Rohit Sharma.
Following the limited-overs leg, which includes three T20Is and as many ODIs, India and South Africa will play two Tests on December 26 and January 3 in Centurion and Johannesburg, respectively.
Even though the selectors have made changes to the limited-overs lineup, they have stuck with the experienced veterans for the Tests as India seeks their first Test series victory in the Rainbow Nation.
India will be missing Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane in the XI for the first time since the 2010 Test series, with the middle order likely to be rejigged.
With opener Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed in both of his appearances in the Caribbean, India are unlikely to bench him and would instead team him with Rohit at the top, with Shubman Gill projected to bat at No 3. With Virat Kohli at No. 4, Shreyas Iyer will bat at No. 5, followed by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.
There are no unexpected inclusions or withdrawals in the Test team, while Kuldeep Yadav has been overlooked once again. The selectors have chosen the squad accordingly, with R Ashwin and Jadeja in the mix and the conditions favourable for seamers.
The pace unit will have Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj for the first time since the one-off Test against England in 2022.
