India vs South Africa 2023-24: Will Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane find space in India Test squad?

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With BCCI all set to announce squads for India vs South Africa 2023-24 series, excitement is building among fans for seeing their Indian star players return to action after the ODI World Cup debacle. However, whether the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will find space in the team or not is up for discussion.

As per news agency PTI's report, the two veterans may not feature in the India vs South Africa 2023-24 series at all with Ajinkya Rahane getting the axe while Cheteshwar Pujara has very little chance of making the cut as of now.

The only way Rahane can make it is if Rahul decides to keep wickets in Tests and Ishan Kishan becomes the second keeper, opening the doors for an extra batter in the squad. But at 35, whether Ajit Agarkar's committee would like to look back is the question.

Rahul keeping wickets would mean that both he and Iyer can fit into the Test match-playing XI. Jasprit Bumrah is fighting fit and wants to continue playing Test cricket and will have Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur for company. Mukesh Kumar, who has impressed one and all, is a strong contender for the reserve pacer's slot.

Ravindra Jadeja, as usual, will be the first-choice spinner in overseas conditions while Ravichandran Ashwin and one among Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav will complete the spinner's lineup. Kona Bharat, who has been below par with the bat, will only get a look-in if Rahul doesn't want to keep wickets.

Virat Kohli, who has sought a break from white-ball games in South Africa, will be among the crucial batters with Rohit Sharma in charge of the team. The main discussion, however, has been if Rohit Sharma will agree to lead the T20 team in absence of injured Hardik Pandya as BCCI brass is mighty impress with the ODI and Test captain for his leadership during the ICC World Cup 2023.

-With inputs from PTI