SA vs IND: Three surprising exclusions from India’s Test squad

Team India won the Mumbai Test in a dominating fashion to clinch the two-match Test series 1-0 against New Zealand. The next assignment for the side is against South Africa wherein they are scheduled to play three Test matches and as many ODIs. The BCCI recently announced India’s Test squad for the marquee series.

For the New Zealand Tests, quite a few key players were rested. However, they have marked their return for the upcoming series against the Proteas. Having said that, there are a few surprising exclusions from the Test squad.

Here are the surprising exclusions from India’s Test squad for the South Africa tour:

Suryakumar Yadav

The batter has emerged as one of the promising talents for team India. He was included in the Test squad against New Zealand but did not get the opportunity to make his debut. Yadav has played 77 First-class matches and has scored 5326 runs with a healthy average of 44.01.

He also possesses a good technique that makes him a good player of the longest format as well. However, India currently has quite a few strong middle-order alternatives and that might have led to Suryakumar Yadav’s exclusion from the team.

Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran is one of the key players of India’s domestic circuit. The opening batter has been exuding his flair whilst representing Bengal and the India A side. He was part of the India A setup that toured South Africa for the unofficial Test matches.

He looked in fine touch in the matches and thus presented himself as one of the potential names to get a go for this series. He also has considerable experience of playing first-class matches and considering his current form it was expected that he might make the cut.

KS Bharat

Srikar Bharat found a spot in the squad for the New Zealand Tests. He was selected as a standby wicketkeeper. As Wriddhiman Saha suffered a fitness issue, Bharat got an opportunity to keep the wickets. He looked impressive behind the stumps as he was involved in three dismissals in the Kanpur Test.

From 78 first-class matches, he has smashed 4283 runs at an average of 37.24. However, the presence of Saha and Rishabh Pant on the side already is one of the reasons for him missing out from the setup.