The Indian cricket team has been announced for the two-match Test series against South Africa. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was sidelined during the England tour due to a leg injury, has recovered and is back in the national squad. Bengal pacer Akashdeep has also been included after recovering from injury. However, Mohammed Shami and Abhimanyu Easwaran have not made the cut.
চোট কাটিয়ে ফিরেলেন এই দুই তারকা, আগকরের সঙ্গে বিতর্কে জড়িয়ে নেই শামি!
Rishabh Returns, Akashdeep Gets Opportunity
After getting injured in the fourth Test of the England tour, Rishabh Pant returns to the Indian team after 95 days. Though he failed in the first innings, he scored 90 runs in the second innings, proving his fitness and batting ability. In light of this, selectors have brought him back for the South Africa series. Compared to the West Indies series, there has been only one change: Akashdeep replaces Prasidh Krishna, while Narayan Jagadeesan has been dropped.
Shami and Easwaran’s Uncertain Future
Despite not taking wickets against Tripura in the Ranji Trophy, Shami had picked up 15 wickets in the first two matches. Still, the national selectors have not considered him. Ajit Agarkar and others’ approach suggests that Shami may not get opportunities even at home, and he also seems unlikely to be included in the white-ball setup.
Abhimanyu Easwaran has also not been included in the Indian Test squad. With Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul opening, and Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel in the middle order, the selectors have not looked his way. The team composition includes three spinner-allrounders, one pace-allrounder, one specialist spinner, and three specialist pacers, ensuring a balanced bowling attack.
Team Announcement:
🚨 Presenting #TeamIndia‘s squad for the Test series against South Africa 👍#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Ca2ccy4KK5
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2025
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akashdeep.
Series Schedule:
1st Test: 14 November, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
2nd Test: 22 November, Guwahati
The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans in India, especially with Rishabh Pant’s comeback and Akashdeep’s inclusion, which adds a new dimension to India’s middle order and bowling attack. However, the absence of Shami and Easwaran is being seen as a challenge for the team.