New Delhi: India announced their 17-member squad for the forthcoming three-Test series against South Africa on Monday.
Acting hon secretary Amitabh Choudhary and chairman of selectors MSK Prasad announced the squad where Jasprit Bumrah earned his maiden call-up while Parthiv Patel was also recalled in the Test squad.
Virat Kohli, who will be missing the limited overs series against Sri Lanka, will be leading the Indian cricket team while Ajinkya Rahane will be playing his deputy for the three-Test series.
India team: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-capt), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel (wk), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
The main contention was whether India would go ahead with 5 seamers or 3 spinners.
All doubts have been put to rest with the selection of Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
The Test series, first of the long away season for India, will start from January 2 to January 28 next year.
Three Test matches between the Proteas and the Indian team will be played at Newlands, Cape Town (January 5 to 9), Centurion (January 13-17) and The Wanderers, Johannesburg (January 24-28).
Last time India toured South Africa in 2013/14 they were beaten 1-0 in the two-match Test series.