South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma will mark a return to lead the Test squad after a brief injury lay-off for the two-match series against India, starting November 14. After leading the Proteas to the ICC World Test Championship title in June, Bavuma had missed the recent Test series against Pakistan due to a left calf strain.
In his absence, Aiden Markram took over the reins of the Test side in a series that ended 1-1 in Rawalpindi last week. Before the Test series in India, which begins at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 14, Bavuma is also slated to receive game time during the South Africa A tour of India. The SA-A side will play two First-Class games against India A, starting October 30, at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Prenelan Subreyan and David Bedingham, who were part of the squad for the Pakistan tour, were dropped from the side. Veteran bowlers Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy are the frontline spinners in the squad. Kagiso Rabada helms the seam attack alongside all-rounders Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder to support him.
The second match of the series will be played in Guwahati, which will host its first-ever Test from November 22. South Africa will feature in three ODIs and five T20Is in the tour.
Speaking of the India tour, head coach Shukri Conrad said, “We’ve kept the bulk of the squad that competed in the two-match series against Pakistan. Those players showed real character and fought hard to come from behind and draw that series.
“We are anticipating a similar challenge in India, and many of the players who stood up in those conditions will once again be key for us.
“Pakistan was a squad effort and India will demand the same. Every player has a role to play in ensuring we remain competitive in what is always a tough place to tour.”
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South Africa squad for Test series vs India: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne
