India squad for South Africa Series: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested for white-ball leg, Samson named in ODI squad

Brand New India Test Middle-order

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are very likely to form the new middle-order of the India Test cricket team. India have now three opening options in Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

🏏🇮🇳 Exciting News! The India Test Squad for the South Africa Series is out, featuring the return of powerhouses Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.#INDvsSA #INDvSA #Cricket #TestCricket #ViratKohli𓃵 #RohithSharma𓃵 pic.twitter.com/TrKR7nYmG2

— myKhel.com (@mykhelcom) November 30, 2023

Srikar Bharat makes way for KL Rahul in Tests

Srikar Bharat has been dropped from the Test squad. Ishan Kishan pipped him with his flair on the West Indies tour, and comeback of KL Raul means there is no place place for the Andhra wicketkeeper-batter.

Arshdeep Singh being preferred over Avesh in T20Is

India have named four pacers - Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj and Deepak Chahar - in the T20Is. Avesh Khan and Prasidh Krishna, who are part of the onoing T20I series against Australia, have been dropped. Pacer Deepak Chahar's inclusion in T20Is increases India's batting depth tremendously.

Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi frontrunners in T20 WC 2024 race

Among spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi have been give prefence in the T20I squad over Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel who have found place only in the ODI squad. Ravindra Jadeja's inclusion in T20I squad has further hampered Axar Patel's case. Off-spinner Washington Sundar has found place in both squads.

🏏🇮🇳 Exciting News! The India T20I squad for the South Africa series is finally here. Get ready for some thrilling cricket action! 🌟#INDvsSA #INDvSA #Cricket #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/0GBU6W6c0m

— myKhel.com (@mykhelcom) November 30, 2023

Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan gearing up for T20 WC 2024

Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan haven't been named in the ODI squad. The same has give opportunities to Sai Sudharsan and Sanju Samson.

Shami's availability in Tests subject to his fitness

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have requested the Board for a break from the white-ball leg of the tour. MohammedShami is currently undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to fitness, the BCCI has informed.

Sai Sudharsan, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, Chahal named in ODI squad

India’s squad for 3 ODIs: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C)(wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar.

Ravindra Jadeja returns to T20Is squad, Sanju Samson ignored again

India’s squad for 3 T20Is: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Deepak Chahar.

Rahane dropped from Test squad, no Pujara either

India’s squad for 2 Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Mohd. Shami*, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna.

No Rohit Sharma in ODI and T20I Squads

The teams has been announced, and there is no Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in the white-ball squads. Suryaumar Yadav will continue to lead the T20I side, while KL Rahul has been named the ODI captain. Rohit Sharma will lead the Test side.

Rohit Sharma to lead India in SA T20Is and T20 World Cup 2024

Reports have suggested that Rohit Sharma would be named the T20I captain and would lead India in the T20 World Cup 2024. KL Rahul could be named ODI captain, reports have added.

Sanju Samson to return?

Sanju Samson, who did not get a chance to feature in the ongoing T20I series between India and Australia, is likely to make a comeback.

Does Rahul Dravid contract renewal give any hint?

Contracts of Rahul Dravid and his support stuff was renewed recently. The same has increased the chances of Rohit Sharma continuing as India captain at least in the ODI and Test formats.

KL Rahul to replace KS Bharat in Test squad?

With KL Rahul certain of returning to the Test squad, will KS Bharat be dropped. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are very likely to be the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad.

Big day for Pujara and Rahane

India Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane could get a clear picture on their future. The two veteran cricketers are unlikely to get a place. Pujara was dropped after the WTC final, but Rahane travelled with the team to West Indies. A fit Shreyas Iyer will aim to take back his spot from Rahane.

Virat Kohli to be back in action of December 26

Having taken indefinite break from white-ball cricket, Virat Kohli could find his name in the Test squad only. That means that, Virat Kohli will return to back to action with the Boxing Day Test from December 26 in Centurion.

Focus on Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma will be in focus as the selectors meet to decide India squads ahead of South Africa. Hardik Pandya's regular breakdown is a concern, stability in leadership is needed and there could be no better option than Rohit. But will the 36-year-old take the responsibility and chase the glory once more?