India Tour of South-Africa – India Squad for SA: South Africa is sort of FINAL-FRONTIER for India to conquer. No Indian team has ever beaten South Africa in their home series. Virat Kohli and team will again attempt to conquer MOUNT SOUTH AFRICA – keeping confidence in their veteran work-force. Out of form & struggling Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and in all likelihodd Ishant Sharma will be part of the squad to South Africa – Follow LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
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India Squad for SA – Squad Announcement Delayed: The Indian squad for South Africa was suppose to be announced on Tuesday but was delayed for a day.
The team management led by Captain Virat Kohli & Coach Rahul Dravid wants to still back the trio of Rahane, Pujara & Ishant. Keeping current form, ageing & tired bodies aside, captain is confident that they can deliver in South Africa.
The selectors on the other hand were in favor of backing youngsters for the challenge.
This is the reason, selection panel headed by Chetan Sharma decide to postpone the announcement of the squad by a day or two.
It has been learned that keeping wishes of captain and coach in mind, selectors finally have decided to give one last chance to both Rahane & Pujara. Ishant’s selection will be dependent on his fitness.
“South Africa is one of the most difficult tours. We have never beaten them in test series there. Team has huge faith in proven players like Rahane & Pujara. They are confident, they will surely come out of slump & will support India’s endeavors to win the series in Africa”, said one of the BCCI official.
Can the trio really help India’s cause?
- Rahane averages 53 in 3 tests he has played in South Africa during 2013 & 2018 Series
- Pujara on the other hand averages just 31 in 7 test matches in South Africa, way below his test average of 45
- Ishant Sharma bowling averages also dip down in South Africa. He has taken 20 Wickets in 7 tests @ 40 Av – this is far below his career bowling averages.
India Tour of South-Africa – India Squad for SA: ODI Squad to be announced later, captaincy issue to be discussed?
India Squad for SA: Meanwhile it has been decided that selectors for now will not announce the 3 match ODI squad for the series. Selectors are of the view that they will monitor hopefuls during the Vijay Hazare Trophy & will take their final calls in 7-10 days time.
India will play the first ODI in South Africa on Jan 19. That’s more than a month away & selectors wants to take time before they pick Indian ODI Team for South Africa series.
Shikhar Dhawan to be picked? Dhawan was captain of India, last time India played a ODI game in Sri Lanka. The southpaw from Delhi scored big during the series in Lanka & will be persisted with.
India Squad for SA: Will Rohit be handed ODI Captaincy or will Virat continue as captain? The ODI captaincy issue has become a very sensitive one. After handing T20 Captaincy to Rohit Sharma, BCCI & Selectors are keep to handover even ODI captaincy to the Mumbai Indians captain.
On the other hand Virat Kohli after resigning from T20 Captaincy wants to continue as ODI Captain.
Selectors are in a tricky position because of the situation. For now the ODI selections have been postponed – but soon selectors will have to make one of the biggest decision of their tenure.
The Test team meanwhile is scheduled to leave for South Africa on December 16.
