Pant Returns, Shami Misses Out in India vs South Africa Test

Rishabh Pant's return to the Indian cricket team is creating a buzz as the squad prepares for the Test series against South Africa. After recovering from his injury sustained in England, Pant has been included as the vice-captain for the two-match series starting on November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and the second match in Guwahati from November 22. His inclusion comes after he replaced N Jagadeesan, who had been part of the squad for the West Indies series.

In his recent matches, Pant showcased his skills as captain of India A against South Africa A, where he played a pivotal role. Despite a modest 17 runs in the first innings, he scored a remarkable 90 in the second, leading India A to victory. This performance underscores his potential impact on the national team.

However, the absence of senior bowler Mohammed Shami from the Test setup raises eyebrows. Despite his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy, where he took eight wickets in a match, Shami has not been selected. His childhood coach even stated that Shami is back in his prime, yet the selectors remain unconvinced.

Dhruv Jurel, who performed well in the last series against the West Indies, is expected to make way for Pant. Although Jurel scored a maiden century, the team management sees Pant’s experience as crucial. Pant has been in excellent form this year, boasting an impressive average of 64.44 in his Tests.

As for the bowling lineup, Akash Deep has been included, replacing Prasidh Krishna, who was on the bench during the previous series. The fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely to lead the attack unless rested, as India faces the challenge of the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa.

This series is especially significant as it marks India’s first home Test matches against a strong opposition since their unexpected 3-0 defeat to New Zealand last year. The team will be keen to assert their dominance and make a strong statement. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna has been included in the India A squad for their upcoming one-day series against South Africa A, indicating his continued involvement in Indian cricket.

With a blend of experience and youth, the Indian squad looks poised for a competitive series, and all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant's performance as he makes his much-anticipated return.