Temba Bavuma for South Africa (Source: AFP)
South Africa have announced a 15-member squad for the all-important two-match Test series against India. The regular captain, Temba Bavuma, is back after missing the series against Pakistan due to injury and would be playing for South Africa A before his Test comeback.
David Bedingham has missed out on the selection with the return of Bavuma while Prenelan Subrayen has also been omitted from the squad that levelled the series against Pakistan.
South Africa have played some good cricket in the longest format in recent times. They won the WTC title earlier this year, while they also registered their first Test win on Pakistan's shores after 1997. Temba Bavuma is yet to lose a Test match as captain, and thus South Africa would be confident of their chances after some heavy defeats on the last couple of India tours.
South Africa trust new Test core after success in Pakistan
South Africa have also put trust in young Dewald Brevis despite his two ducks against Pakistan. The youngster scored a fifty in the second innings of the first Test, while the players like Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs also showed their mettle on turning tracks, indicating stability in the Proteas ranks ahead of the India series.
On the bowling front, South Africa have Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch in the pace department. They have the likes of Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer in the spin department who all did well in Pakistan and would be playing a key role on Indian soil as well.
The first Test will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will start on November 14, while the second match will be played in Guwahati.
South Africa squad for India Test series
Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer.
