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Cricket PlayersIndia's squad for South Africa Tests announced; Rohit Sharma named vice-captain, Vihari returns, Rahane retained
India's tour of South Africa: BCCI has named Rohit Sharma as the vice-captain for the upcoming IND vs SA Test series. Hanuma Vihari is set to return, while Ajinkya Rahane has been retained.
The BCCI on Wednesday announced an 18-member Test squad for India's upcoming tour of South Africa. Headlining the announcement is Rohit Sharma, who has been handed the vice-captaincy role. Former VC Ajinkya Rahane, whose place was in grave danger following a poor run in the longest format, has been picked but only as a player.
Hanuma Vihari, who was snubbed from the New Zealand series, has been recalled following his impressive outings during the India A Tour against South Africa A. Having batted heroically to save the Sydney Test for India in January, Vihari missed the England series at home due to a hamstring and also the tour of the UK. With twin half-centuries - scores of 54 and 72 not out against South Africa A - Vihari presented a strong case for himself.
Also Read | Rohit Sharma named India's new ODI captain, to take over from Virat Kohli starting South Africa series
Moreover, star opener KL Rahul, who was ruled out of the NZ Tests just before the first day of the 1st Test due to a niggle, is also set to make his return. India had rested some of their key players like Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur for the previous series, all of whom have been named in the jumbo touring squad.
Jayant Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, for their fruitful outings against the Kiwis, have been rewarded with a ticket on the plane to the African nation as well, whereas the BCCI, in an official statement, revealed that Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel have been left out as they are nursing injuries.
"The following players were not available for selection due to injuries and are currently undergoing rehabilitation: Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, Rahul Chahar," said BCCI in an official release.
Jadeja was said to be be nursing an injured forearm. However, reports have surfaces suggesting that the all-rounder in fact has a ligament tear which will take a long time to heal. Hero of the Kanpur Test against New Zealand with a five-wicket-haul, Axar is said to be nursing a stress fracture. As for Gill, the shin injury he sustained in England in August has reportedly resurfaced.
In another mega announcement, the board confirmed the appointment of Rohit Sharma as the permanent T20I and ODI captain. The statement read: "The All-India Senior Selection Committee also decided to name Mr. Rohit Sharma as the Captain of the ODI & T20I teams going forward."
Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (Vice-captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (WK), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj.
Standby Players: Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Arzan Nagwaswalla.
