BCCI to announce India squad for South Africa tour after Delhi Test

After much drama, the date for the selection of the Indian squad for the South Africa tour early next year has finally been decided on. It has now been scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the third Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Feroze Shah Kotla in New Delhi.

The initial date for the squad selection was set for November 27, along with the selection of the ODI squad for the ongoing bilateral series against Sri Lanka. However, due to a flight delay, BCCI convenor Amitabh Chaudhary was unable to make it to the meeting within the stipulated time, which led to the postponement.

A senior BCCI official privy to the developments confirmed the news stating, “The idea was to wait a bit and pick a team either during the finishing stages of the third Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Feroze Shah Kotla or wait till the game ends. There is no hurry as most of the players pick themselves and it is just a few spots here and there that need to be looked into before making the final call.”

Management yet unsettled on the final number of players

The team selection for the Proteas Test series will be a tricky one. The management is yet undecided as to how many players they want to take to South Africa. It could be anywhere from 16 to 18 players. It all depends on the pacers-and-spinners combination the team will want in the South African conditions.

The Indian team for the limited-overs leg of the Sri Lanka series has also witnessed some changes. Skipper Virat Kohli has been granted rest. In his absence, the captain responsibilities have been bestowed on Mumbai Indians skipper, Rohit Sharma. Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammed Shami have also found their back to the squad.

However, the latest bowler to join the 300 Test wickets club, Ravi Ashwin will not feature in the ODIs against the Islanders.