South Africa announce squad for Test series against India

South Africa have named a 21-man squad for the home series against India. The squad will be led by Dean Elgar and boast of regular names like Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Meanwhile, ODI skipper Temba Bavuma has been named the vice-captain of the side.

Pacer Duanne Olivier has also been recalled to the team to accompany Rabada, Nortje and Lungi Ngidi. Olivier has been in stellar form in South Africa’s four day domestic matches and has claimed 28 wickets in eight innings. The Test series gets underway on December 26 at Centurion.

The series was under serious doubt due to the emergence of the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron. However, the BCCI decided to go ahead with the tour. The T20Is though have been postponed for later.

India have never won a Test series in South Africa. They came close on their last visit but had to suffer a 2-1 series loss. The team will be keen to script history this time around, especially looking at the vulnerabilities in the South Africa team.

Meanwhile, South Africa have not played a lot of Test cricket of late. They defeated West Indies 2-0 in the last series in June.

South Africa’s Test squad for 3-match series vs India

Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.

FULL SCHEDULE OF SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA TEST SERIES

1st Test – December 26 to 30 in Centurion

2nd Test- January 3 to 7 in Johannesburg

3rd Test – January 11 to 15 in Cape Town