Pant returns to the test set up as India announce squad for South Africa test series.

After an unfortunate injury while batting at old trafford and missing out on competitive cricket for at least 2 months, Rishabh Pant has been picked for India’s upcoming and all important test series against South Africa. 

The Indian senior men's selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced a 15-member squad which sees the omission of Prasidh Krishna and N Jagadeesan. Apart from Pant, Akash Deep is the other addition to the squad that featured in the recent Test series against the West Indies.

Pant scored a crucial 90 earlier this month to lead India A to a crucial victory against South Africa A and is expected to play the second test as well as it gives him a good amount of match practice. Apart from Pant, all the regulars from the last test series against West Indies retain their spot with Dhruv Jurel being the back up wicket keeper.

Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy fill the all rounders slot while KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan fill up the top 3. Kuldeep Yadav, who has returned back from Australia heads the spin department while Jasprit Bumrah along with Mohammad Siraj and Akash deep are the pacers. Mohammad Shami has once again been ignored despite his terrific ranji performance and his future looks bleak until the selectors decide to change their minds.

The opening match of the series will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 while the second and final Test will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22.

India Test squad

Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.