The BCCI Men's Selection Committee announced India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa on Wednesday, marking the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as vice-captain after a prolonged injury layoff. Pant, who suffered a toe fracture during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July, replaces N Jagadeesan and will deputize for captain Shubman Gill in the opening fixture at Eden Gardens starting November 14. The dynamic left-hander proved his fitness with a match-winning 90 in India A's second innings during their four-day warm-up victory over South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, showcasing his aggressive strokeplay and sharp glovework. The series, part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, continues in Guwahati from November 22, marking the northeastern city's maiden Test hosting, as India aims to consolidate their third-place standing with 61.90% points.

Notably absent from the 15-member squad is veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been overlooked despite a stellar comeback in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, claiming 15 wickets across three matches at an average of under 10 for Bengal. The 35-year-old, sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup final due to Achilles tendon surgery and subsequent fitness battles, appeared primed for a Test recall with economical spells and key breakthroughs against Baroda and Kerala. However, selector Ajit Agarkar cited the depth in the pace department—bolstered by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep—as the rationale, prioritizing players with recent red-ball exposure amid a packed schedule. Shami's snub has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with former coach Ravi Shastri urging patience, while it underscores the committee's focus on workload management for the seamers in seaming conditions expected in Kolkata and Guwahati.

The squad retains continuity from India's home series against the West Indies, featuring openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, middle-order stalwarts Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who joins early after release from T20I duties in Australia. Key personnel like Gill, Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar will link up post the five-match T20I series Down Under on November 8, allowing for a phased preparation. South Africa, ranked fifth in the WTC with 50% points after a 1-1 draw in Pakistan, arrives with a potent pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada, setting up a compelling clash of styles. Pant's reintegration adds firepower to the batting, potentially stabilizing the middle order that struggled in his absence during the England defeat.

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This selection reflects strategic balancing in a transitional phase for Indian Test cricket, blending youth like Dhruv Jurel and Padikkal with experience from Bumrah and Jadeja, while Pant's leadership role signals confidence in his all-format resurgence. Shami's exclusion, though contentious, highlights the fierce competition for spots, with Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar also in contention for future call-ups based on domestic form. As India eyes a strong start to the WTC cycle, the series promises high drama, with Pant's return evoking memories of his heroic 89 not out in Brisbane 2021. The full squad—Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep—gears up for a defining battle against a resurgent Proteas side, underscoring the relentless evolution of the format in India's cricketing calendar.

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