Bumrah gets maiden call-up, Parthiv returns in India's Test squad for SA tour

The first begins from Jauuary 5.

Jasprit Bumrah has earned his maiden Test call-up and he can be an option for Kohli.

That may open the doors for India’s preferred seam-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya. He was very impressive in his debut series in Sri Lanka, returning with a batting average of 59.33 and 4 wickets in the three Tests.

Virat Kohli (Capt), Vijay, Rahul, Shikhar, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Rohit, Saha (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Parthiv, Hardik, Bhuvneshwar, Shami, Ishant, Umesh, Bumrah

Bhuvenshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav were automatic choices for the seamers’ slot.

Ashwin’s partnership with Jadeja may not be seen in South Africa as it is unlikely that India will play two spinners in the seamer friendly decks.

With Pandya as the back-up seamer it will be a toss-up between Ishant and Umesh Yadav.

Arguably, the world’s best wicket-keeper now, Wriddhiman Saha will take the gloves in the bouncy tracks of South Africa.

Virat Kohli will lead the no. 1 Test side of the world and more importantly, he will be fresh for South Africa as he will not take part in the limited overs series against Sri Lanka.

Ajinkya Rahane has been the most disappointing part of India’s very impressive home season. However, Rahane’s terrific overseas record should give him confidence when he walks to bat in Johannesburg.

Rahane would face tough competition from Rohit Sharma for the middle order’s slot if India does decide to go in with five specialist bowlers.

Parthiv Patel has again made a comeback to the Indian side and he will be Saha’s deputy.

The all-rounder’s pack will be led by Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Indian selection committee comprising of MS Prasad, Saba Karim and Sarandeep Singh picked a rather predictable 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa on Monday.

The crucial No.3 spot goes to Cheteshwar Pujara. The rock solid right-hander, who had a terrific 2017, emerging as India’s highest scorer will be one of India’s main pillars against Rabada and Co.

However, a lot of thought will go in picking the final two openers for the first Test in South Africa. In the current three-match series against Sri Lanka India went in with different opening pairs in all the matches.

Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul were picked as three openers without a second thought.

The squad was originally slated to be picked on November 27 but the debate on captain Kohli’s availability for the T20I series against Sri Lanka and the debate on back up seamer for the South Africa tour delayed the process for a week.

The selectors met with captain Virat Kohli after the third day’s play in the ongoing final India-Sri Lanka Test at New Delhi.