Kohli-led India depart for South Africa Test series

THE Indian Test squad on Thursday (16) departed for the upcoming three-match series in South Africa with Virat Kohli at the helm.

The tour underwent changes and now, the first Test will be played in Centurion from December 26. The second and third Tests will be played in Johannesburg (January 3-7) and Cape Town (January 11-15).

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India shared pictures of the departure of the India Test squad. “All buckled up. South Africa bound,” it tweeted.

Ace opening batter Rohit Sharma was picked as Test side’s vice-captain but he was recently ruled out of the long-format series due to a hamstring injury during a practice session. Kohli said the team will miss Sharma’s abilities in the upcoming series.

Vice captain Rohit Sharma ruled out of South Africa Test series

India ‘A’ skipper Priyank Panchal was picked as Sharma’s replacement.

“Will miss his abilities a lot. He’s proven in England already that he’s really worked his Test game out, and the opening partnership was very important for us to play in that series. Obviously, with his experience and skill, we will miss those qualities,” Kohli, who cleared air over a lot of speculations on Wednesday (15), said in a virtual press conference.

“That said, it’s an opportunity for Mayank [Agarwal] and KL [Rahul] to step up and solidify that start for us and make sure the good work is carried on in this series,” he said.

Sharma is due to lead the Indian side in the three-game one-day international series that will follow the Tests with KL Rahul as his deputy.

India have never been able to win a Test series in South Africa. The last time they toured that country was in 2017-18 when Kohli’s side lost 1-2.

India squad for South Africa Test series: Virat Kohli (captain), Priyank Panchal, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj.