As India is bound to play three-match Test series against South Africa in January, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the Indian Test squad on November 27 as Board’s acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary is scheduled to preside the meeting in Nagpur.
With India in dominating position against Sri Lanka in the second match of the three-match Test series, as Choudhary will be discussing the process with the national selection committee on Monday.
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As the countdown has begun for the gruelling Test series, the three-member selection committee is comprised of M.S.K. Prasad followed by Devang Gandhi and Sarandeep Singh, who are further observing the players’ current performance against Lanka at home.
Moreover, the overseas series will kick off on January five at the Cape Town, before the second Test will be held between January 13 and 17, as the final Test will be played on January 24 at The Wanderers.
According to the reports, the much-awaited squad for South Africa series is highly-likely going to be announced on Monday evening.
However, the spin duo for India; Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja returned to the Test fold after being rested following the Board’s rotation policy, to maintain the workload of players after the rigorous schedule.
As Indian skipper, Virat Kohli would be satisfied with the team’s performance so far while donning the white jersey which further saw opening batsman Murali Vijay struck a fine hundred on his Test return after nursing the wrist injury.
The World Number one-ranked Test team, India has witnessed players giving their best while considering the home series as the preparations for the Proteas series.
On the other side, Kohli, who is enjoying his prolific run with the bat and as a leader, as certain quarters revealed the batting mainstay is expected to be given a much-needed break for the Delhi Test which is scheduled to be beginning from December two at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.
Whether Kohli will be available for the final Test against Lions in December, next month which would be clarified soon after the selection committee’s meeting in Nagpur after the culmination of the second Test on Monday evening.
Interestingly, India is scheduled to play three One-day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals against the Islanders, which further forced Kohli by saying they don’t have enough time to prepare for the challenging series.
Before flying to the African continent, Kohli has marshalled his troops well to set an example which has further inspired many in the line-up.
As seam-bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya is likely making a return in the limited overs series against Lanka after requesting selectors to give him a short break.
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Before facing Faf du Plessis-led side in January next year, Pandya urged to give his best both with the bat and the ball after being the part of India line-up early this year.
Moreover, fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who recently got married, will be returning alongside Delhi-based Shikhar Dhawan.
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Concluding, the selection committee will also reveal the squad for third and final Test against Sri Lanka as the bilateral series will culminate with the T20I fixture on December 24 in Mumbai.