South Africa announces 21-man squad for India's tour

With India all set to tour South Africa at the end of the month, the hosts have announced their 21-man squad for the upcoming tour that will take on the visiting side.

There were quite a few surprises in the South African squad that saw Duanne Olivier making a comeback after a phenomenal run in the domestic circuit and he is making a comeback to the international circuit after a hiatus of three years.

The South African squad comprised a couple of young faces as batter Ryan Rickelton and fast bowler Sisanda Magala have been included in the side. Off-spin bowling all-rounder, Prenelan Subrayen and fast bowler Glenton Stuurman have also been recalled to the Test side.

The remaining side is almost identical to the one that toured West Indies in South Africa. That series marked Dean Elgar’s onset as a captain and the Proteas won the series by 2-0.

The imminent assignment against India will be his first campaign as a captain at home. Temba Bavuma will be a part of this contest as he couldn’t feature against the Caribbean due to an injury.

South Africa has a rich variety in their bowling lineup as they have the likes of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Beuran Hendricks, Stuurman and Magala.

Victor Mpitsang, CSA’s convenor of selectors, was heard quoting, “We as the Selectors are excited for the return of Test cricket. This format is very important to CSA and keeping it relevant and alive is one of the organisation’s priorities. We are really looking forward to the return of Dean Elgar and his men, it’s been a long few months since the last time we saw them dominate in the West Indies." 

 Duanne Olivier who will be making a comeback to the international circuit, managed to post figures of 28 scalps at a fine average of 11.14. Victor added, “We are confident in the team that we have selected and believe fully in backing the talent that we have unearthed and cultivated over the last couple of seasons and giving players the backing that they deserve when they have continuously done well over a significant period of time.”

He included, “This Test series is also important in terms of getting some points in the Test Championship table and we are confident that this group will pick up from where they left off and give us a good show on home soil.”

India will be playing a series of three Test matches, the first of which will be starting on Boxing Day at Centurion. The remaining two Test matches will be played at Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Quinton de Kock (wk), Kagiso Rabada , Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.