Indian Selection Committee To Pick Full-Strength Test Squad For Upcoming South Africa Tour
Published - 30 Nov 2023, 11:53 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:23 AM
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to select a full-strength Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. The Indian team will play two Tests in South Africa as part of their second series in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.
The senior selection committee will announce four teams, including the T20I, ODI, and Test teams, along with the India ‘A’ squad, on Thursday. The selectors are expected to pick a second-string squad for the white-ball games and a full-strength squad for the Tests.
Virat Kohli To Miss White Ball Series In South Africa – Report
Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI that he will not be participating in the T20Is and ODIs in the upcoming tour. However, the 35-year-old is expected to be available for selection for the two-match Test series in Centurion and Cape Town, starting on December 26.
It remains unclear whether Rohit Sharma will be available for white-ball selection. Rohit is on a break in the UK after the World Cup 2023, and his participation in white-ball cricket is yet to be confirmed. However, he has confirmed his availability for the Test matches.
Senior Players To Be Part Of India ‘A’ Squad – Report
The selection committee is expected to avoid fielding players in all formats. The board aims to prevent the overuse of the players and maintain their performance levels. They want to protect the bowling attack trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj.
A few senior players are set to play three four-day matches for India ‘A’ during the tour, providing valuable match practice ahead of the Test series. The selectors will also consider whether Virat Kohli should be given a warm-up game before the Test matches.
The BCCI had already applied for visas for 45 players for the South Africa tour. Sitanshu Kotak and Troy Cooley will coach the India ‘A’ side, while VVS Laxman will return to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru after coaching in the T20I series against Australia.
