India tour of South Africa: Temba Bavuma rested from ODIs, Aiden Markram to lead white-ball squads
South Africa on Monday announced their ODI, T20I and Test squads for the much-anticipated home series against India.
The two teams will play 3 T20Is, as many ODIs and 2 Tests from December 10 in the Rainbow Nation. Cricket South Africa named Aiden Markram as captain of both ODI and T20I sides as regular skipper Temba Bavuma is among the big names rested for the white-ball leg as they prioritise the Test series, which is part of the World Test Championship cycle.
Kagiso Rabada has also been rested for the white-ball leg of the tour. Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee have been picked for the first two T20is but they will not be part of the remainder of the white-ball tour and return directly for the Tests.
“Captain Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada are amongst a group of players that have been omitted for the white-ball leg of the tour in order to play red-ball cricket as emphasis is placed on the Test series for which both will return,” CSA said in a statement on social media.
NEW FACES IN TEST SIDE
Temba Bavuma had a poor run with the bat in South Africa’s run to the semi-final of World Cup 2023, but the team management has only rested him for the white-ball leg and retained faith in his leadership ability for the all-important Test series.
Veteran batter Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen, who were key to South Africa’s 2-1 win over India in 2021-22, are part of the Test squad. Explosive Mumbai Indians star Tristan Stubbs, young top-order batter Tony de Zorzi are also part of the Test squad which also has uncapped left-arm pacer Nandre Burger and wicketkeeper David Bedingham.
South Africa have gone in with only one spinner in Keshav Maharaj for the Test series, packing their line-up with pacers.
SQUADS: SA vs IND
South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee (1st and 2ndT20Is), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen (1st and 2nd T20Is), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi (1st and 2nd T20Is), Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams
South Africa ODI squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams
South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne
Notably, India announced their squads for the tour of South Africa last month. Like South Africa, they have also rested seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the white-ball leg of the tour and they are set to return for the Tests.
India have named three captains – Suryakumar Yadav for T20Is, KL Rahul for ODis and Rohit Sharma for Tests — for the all-impotant tour of South Africa.
INDIA TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA SCHEDULE
T20Is
Sunday, 10 December – 1st T20I, Durban
Tuesday, 12 December – 2nd T20I, Gqeberha
Thursday, 14 December – 3rd T20I , Johannesburg
ODIs
Sunday, 17 December – 1st ODI, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 19 December – 2nd ODI, Gqeberha
Thursday, 21 December – 3rd ODI, Paarl
Tests
26 December – 30 December – 1st Test, Centurion
03 January – 07 January – 2nd Test, Cape Town.