The Board of control of cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian test squad for the South African tour, starting on 5th of January 2K18.After completing a successful & long home season, Indian team is all set to begin its overseas campaign under the leadership of young& fearless Kohli (probably the new marriage boy).On their overseas journey, their first encounter will be against the Proteas, comprising of 3 tests,6 ODI’s & 3 T20’s.
Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay & KL Rahul have been included to fill the opening slots.The middle order is balanced with the likes of Pujara, Kohli, Rahane & Rohit.Indian vice-captain, Rahane who went through a lean patch scoring mere 17 runs in the recently concluded Sri Lankan series, looks to break the jinx and return to form.His stats also prove that he has a good overseas record.
Parthiv, on the other hand, returns to the squad after playing three tests during England’s test series in India last year.Also, chairman of selectors MSK Prasad has justified his selection by saying “When you go to South Africa, you need two wicket-keepers.We cannot take a chance with niggle or injury.Also, Parthiv has performed beyond our expectations when given a chance.So there’s no debate about his selection”.
Hardik Pandya, having been rested for the Sri Lankan tests, has also returned to the test squad as an only fast-bowling all-rounder option for India.India’s No;1 & 2 bowler Jadeja & Ashwin will lead the spin department.Bumrah received his maiden test call-up owing to his good performance in the domestic cricket taking 89 wickets in 26 first-class games.He alongside Bhuvaneshwar, Shami, Umesh & Ishant will be the pace spearheads for India in pace-friendly conditions.Vijay Shankar, who earned his test call recently in the Sri Lankan series has been excluded & still has to wait for making his debut.
Full Squad: Virat Kohli (Capt), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
My Probable X1:1)Murali Vijay,2)Shikhar Dhawan/KL Rahul.3)Cheteshwar Pujara.4)Virat Kohli.5)Ajinkya Rahane.6)Hardik Pandya.7)Wriddhiman Saha.8)Ravi Ashwin/Jadeja.9)Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.10)Mohammad Shami.11)Umesh/Ishant.
This will be Virat Kohli’s first big challenge too as test captain, as India played only once outside the sub-continent since 2014-15 Australian series.
Will Virat Kohli’s men break the shackles ? or will it be Proteas all-round show in their home?.Stay tuned until January for what promises to be a most-anticipitated and fiery contest.Wish, it will be a good year for India in 2018.#Bleed blue
Jammybing 