Aakash Chopra picks India's squad for South Africa Tests, no place for Ajinkya Rahane

India’s tour to South Africa will begin with a three-match Test series, that is slated to commence on 26th December 2021. And, ahead of this challenging series for Virat Kohli and his men, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his Indian Test squad.

Chopra feels that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul should open the batting for the Indian side in the land of the Proteas. Chopra added that Cheteshwar Pujara will find a spot in the Indian squad, and labelled the South African tour as an important one for India’s No.3. And, without doubt, the No.4 spot in Chopra’s lineup will be occupied by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

“I have picked Rohit as my opener, without doubt. I have picked Rahul as my opener, without doubt. Rohit and Rahul was straightforward decision, they are doing well. They forged a new partnership in England and did very well.

I have kept Pujara in my team and I have picked my XI as well. I will play him at No. 3 in this team. There is a lot of pressure on him and this tour is very important for him but as of now, Pujara is there. At No. 4, I have got Kohli, there is no doubt in that,” said Aakash Chopra while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra picks his Indian bowling attack for the tour of South Africa

Aakash Chopra added that Shreyas Iyer will occupy the No.5 slot, and there was no place for veteran right-hander Ajinkya Rahane. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will walk in at No.6, while ‘gun player’ Ravindra Jadeja will come in at No.7.

“Rishabh Pant at six, five batters and a keeper. Pant as a keeper and batter is in my side. I am not changing the captain’s philosophy, he has said that he will play five bowlers and I have made the team according to that. At No. 7, Ravindra Jadeja. Jaddu as a batsman, Jaddu as a bowler, Jaddu as a fielder, Jaddu as a gun player,” added Chopra.

Spin bowling legend Ravi Ashwin was also picked in the side by Chopra. The 43-year-old feels that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will surely be picked in the Indian side, and the final member of the playing XI will be Mohammed Siraj.

“At No. 8, I have got Ashwin. I want to play two spinners, I have not seen the pitch but I feel you can play two spinners because if there are four fast bowlers, one of them is under-bowled.

There is Bumrah and Shami, there is no discussion and debate in that. Everyone will keep them in the team. After that, I have kept Siraj at No. 11. He has leapfrogged everyone, he has become the third pacer,” concluded Aakash Chopra.

Here is Aakash Chopra’s Indian squad for the Test series against South Africa: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav