IND vs SA: India declare 15-man Test squad; Gill receives maiden Test call, KL Rahul dropped
BCCI has announced the 15-man squad for India’s three-match home Test series against South Africa (Sept 12). Shubman Gill has received his maiden call-up for the national Test squad meanwhile KL Rahul has been dropped. Selector MSK Prasad has hinted at using Rohit Sharma as the opener in the longest format as well. Rohit’s continuous inclusion in the India Test squad hints at the same.
Also read: Should Rohit Sharma be India’s next Test opener?
Rahul dropped
KL Rahul, the 27-year old batsman has struggled in the overseas Tests as an opener. Apart from his 149 against England at the Oval in September 2018, the Bangalorean batsman has not scored a century since December 2016. Recently, he had decent starts versus West Indies in the first Test but he failed to convert them in a big score. His struggle in the second Test confirmed his departure.
Gill impresses enough
The Indian selectors have decided to reward Shubman Gill for his consistency in domestic cricket. The 20-year old Punjabi batsman impressed on the Caribbean shores. He scored 204 not out against West Indies A at Tarouba. Gill averages 72 in first-class cricket with an experience of 14 games. Now named in India Test squad, it will be exciting to see him in action if the management decides him to hand him debut.
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play his first home Test. He will lead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav shall form the spin trio. The batting core remains the same.
India’s squad for 3 Tests: Virat Kohli (Capt), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk),Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 12, 2019
India-South Africa will play the first Test of the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy in Visakhapatnam from 2nd October. Pune shall host the second Test beginning from 10th October. Third and final Test of the series will commence in Ranchi from 19th October.
India Test Squad:
Virat Kohli (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (Wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
