South Africa remains India’s final frontier. The closest India came to winning a series was in 2010-11 when they shared honours with the home team (1-1). It took India 15 years to notch a Test victory in Africa post since their readmission into the game. This proves that how difficult it has been for a visiting India side to challenge the Proteas at their home. Here are 3 Surprising Exclusions From India’s Test Squad In SA Series
It is being speculated that the visiting Indian team this time round might just turn the tables. The squad selected does seem to have the wherewithal required. But there have been a few notable omissions from the squad that has come as a surprise.
We look at 3 Surprising Exclusions From India’s Test Squad In SA Series:
#3 Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw had a fantastic start to his Test career smashing a century on debut. He was set to start for India in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2018-19 but an untimely injury ruled him out. Shaw was later suspended on medical grounds.
His Test career hit a limbo post a lean run of form that culminated in his horror showing at Adelaide in 2020-21. But Shaw roared back to form, scoring a truckload of runs. He was even drafted into India’s Test squad during the England series.
Shaw was picked for the India-A side to tour South Africa. He gave a decent account of himself during this series too. It was widely expected that Shaw will be a part of the squad as an additional opener but his omission proves otherwise.
#2 Srikar Bharat
Srikar Bharat stood in as wicketkeeper in Wriddhiman Saha’s absence in the first Test against New Zealand. Bharat to put it mildly was absolutely sensational. He looked assured while keeping to the spin troika of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel.
Bharat is a top-order batsman too who is capable of scoring daddy hundreds. He is a proven performer in the domestic circuit. For all his wicket-keeping brilliance, it was thought that Bharat might get a look into the Test squad. But the selectors have shown their faith in experienced Saha.
#1 Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav has had quite a year. He made his debut across both the limited-overs formats. Yadav has been nothing short of excellent all this while. His game against both pace and spin has been right up there. He has taken on the best of fast bowlers with finesse. His stroke play against spin is next to none.
Yadav is that complete batsman whom you can expect to come good in almost all conditions. He was quite close to making his Test debut in the New Zealand series. It was almost certain that he will be part of the touring squad to South Africa. But selectors have for now refrained from making that call.
In the case of an unfortunate injury or player unavailability, Yadav will be the one getting on to the Africa flight immediately.
Also read: I Don’t See The Point Of Dhawan’s Inclusion In SA Series: Saba Karim
