Fresh from a 1-1 series draw against Pakistan, reigning World Test Champions South Africa were bolstered by the return of regular skipper Temba Bavuma for the upcoming two-match series against India in November, following his recovery from a left calf strain sustained during the England tour in September.
Bavuma will sit out of South Africa’s white-ball leg of the ongoing Pakistan tour as he is set to feature in the second red-ball game for South Africa A against India A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) Ground in Bengaluru as part of his preparation for the Test series in India.
Bavuma’s inclusion marks the only change in South Africa’s batting line-up from the Pakistan series, with David Bedingham left out. Bedingham, who has played 15 Tests and scored one century and four fifties, was left out after a lean run of form, barring his 82 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
The rest of the South African batting line-up presents a similar look that featured against Pakistan with the selectors retaining Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and Zubayr Hamza. Tony de Zorzi was South Africa’s standout batter in the Pakistan series, with 175 runs across four innings, including a splendid 104 in the first innings of the first Test. He followed that up with another 55-run knock in the second Test that paved the way to a Proteas win, as the series drew against Pakistan.
The 15-member squad includes three frontline spinners with Keshav Maharaj leading the attack, along with Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy, while Kagiso Rabada and all-rounders Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder provide pace-bowling options. Against Pakistan, Harmer took the spotlight with the ball, scalping 13 wickets across the series. He played a pivotal role in bundling out the hosts for 138 in the second Test that set up a 68-run target for the Proteas, which they chased down comfortably.
Speaking about the squad selection, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said, “We’ve kept the bulk of the squad that competed in the two-match series against Pakistan. Those players showed real character and fought hard to come from behind and draw that series.
“We are anticipating a similar challenge in India, and many of the players who stood up in those conditions will once again be key for us.
“Pakistan was a squad effort and India will demand the same. Every player has a role to play in ensuring we remain competitive in what is always a tough place to tour,” Conrad added.
The first of the two Tests will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14-18 while the second match will be played at the Assam Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22-26.
South Africa squad:
Temba Bavuma (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne