India’s cricket landscape is buzzing with anticipation as the national squad gears up for a high-profile two-match Test series against South Africa, commencing November 14 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The selection drama, player comebacks, and strategic reshuffles have set the stage for a contest that promises to be as riveting off the field as it will be on it.
The headline news? Rishabh Pant’s much-awaited return to the Indian Test setup after the injury he sustained in England this July. Pant, who missed the recent West Indies series, is not just back in the squad—he’s been handed the vice-captaincy, underscoring the team management’s faith in his leadership and batting prowess. Pant replaces N Jagadeesan, while Akash Deep comes in for Prasidh Krishna, signaling a minor but significant shakeup in the squad’s composition.
Pant’s journey back to the top has been nothing short of dramatic. His first taste of competitive cricket post-injury came as captain of India A in an unofficial Test against South Africa A at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from October 30 to November 2. While he managed only 17 runs in the first innings, Pant roared back with a sparkling 90 off 113 balls in the second, guiding India A to a thrilling three-wicket victory. Notably, he kept wickets throughout South Africa A’s 139.3 overs, proving his fitness and readiness for the big stage.
"Pant is averaging 64.44 in the five Tests he has played thus far this year," according to official statistics, a number that speaks volumes about his form and impact. His earlier exploits in England—starting the series with two centuries in the first Test—cemented his status as one of India’s most dynamic Test batsmen. With such numbers, it’s little wonder that selectors have slotted him right back into the mix, even if it means Dhruv Jurel, who scored a maiden century against the West Indies, has to make way.
But while Pant’s return has grabbed headlines, the absence of senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami has sparked an equally intense debate. Shami, who was left out of the squads for the Australia and England tours earlier this year due to fitness concerns, has been overlooked yet again. Despite chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s public assertion that Shami would need to prove his fitness in domestic cricket, the veteran pacer delivered a resounding response in the Ranji Trophy, taking 15 wickets in two matches—including a five-wicket haul that propelled Bengal to a 141-run victory over Gujarat. His childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, confidently stated, "Shami is back in his old rhythm that made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world."
Yet, these performances were not enough to secure Shami a spot in either the main Test squad or the India A team for the South Africa series. The omission has fueled speculation that India may have already seen the last of Shami in Test cricket. At 36, and with India’s Test schedule outside the subcontinent limited to just two matches in New Zealand during the current World Test Championship cycle, a comeback appears increasingly unlikely. The selectors’ preference for a spin-heavy attack at home, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the lead pacers, further diminishes Shami’s prospects. As one source noted, "Selectors are unlikely to change the combination in the current cycle, especially given the fact that their next series after the two Tests against South Africa will be in August 2026, after a gap of nearly nine months."
For now, Shami remains out of contention for ODIs and T20Is as well, with a new generation of fast bowlers staking their claim. Prasidh Krishna, for instance, while not making the cut for the senior Test side, has been included in the India A squad for a three-match one-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot. That team will be led by Tilak Varma, with Ruturaj Gaikwad as vice-captain, and features exciting talents like Ishan Kishan and T20I world number one batter Abhishek Sharma. The selectors’ choices reflect a broader youth movement, even as they keep experienced campaigners like Pant and Bumrah at the core of the senior team.
The confirmed Test squad for the South Africa series reads: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), 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. While Prasidh Krishna was on the bench during the West Indies Tests, Akash Deep’s inclusion could similarly see him waiting in the wings unless India decides to rest either Bumrah or Siraj during this series.
India’s opponents, South Africa, come into this series as the reigning World Test Champions. They recently dispatched the West Indies with ease, but this will be their first real test against a formidable opposition on Indian soil since their shock 3-0 loss to New Zealand last year. Both teams have plenty to prove—India, to reassert their dominance at home and integrate returning stars like Pant; South Africa, to show they can win in subcontinental conditions against a top-tier side.
Off the field, the selection controversies have brought to light the delicate balance between rewarding form, managing fitness, and planning for the future. Shami’s exclusion, despite his domestic heroics, has prompted questions about transparency and the true weight of Ranji performances in national selection. For Pant, the road back has been paved with determination, and his swift reinstatement as vice-captain is a testament to his value in the team’s long-term plans.
With the first Test just days away, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how these decisions play out on the field. Will Pant’s return spark a batting revival? Can India’s young pace battery step up in Shami’s absence? And will South Africa’s champion pedigree hold firm against an Indian side hungry for redemption?
One thing’s for sure: as the action unfolds at Eden Gardens and then in Guwahati, the cricketing world will be watching closely—every run, wicket, and selection call under the microscope. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and for India, this series is more than just a contest—it’s a statement of intent for the future.
