South Africa announces strong Test squad for India series; Temba Bavuma returns

On Monday, October 27, Cricket South Africa announced the Test squad for the forthcoming two-match India series, scheduled to start on Friday, November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. 

It’s important to note that Temba Bavuma will return to lead South Africa after recovering from a calf strain. Notably, Bavuma missed the two-match Test series against Pakistan after sustaining the injury in England in September.

Bavuma's inclusion is the only batting change in the South African squad that drew 1-1 against Pakistan. He comes into the squad, replacing David Bedingham, who didn’t get a chance in both games against Pakistan.

"The guys that did duty in Pakistan in the Test matches have shown what they're capable of, and a case can be made for all of them to be re-selected. The reason why they got selected ahead of David was because I feel that in these conditions they'll be more effective," South Africa head coach, Shukri Conrad.

"It doesn't mean that it's the end of the road for David. It wasn't so long ago that he was one of our star performers at Lord's so really horses-for-courses. For what we're potentially going to face, I believe the guys that we got are ahead of David in that respect,” he added.

South Africa have retained their three main spinners - Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy. However, Prenelan Subrayen has not been included. Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen form the pace trio while Lungi Ngidi continues to be absent from the Test squad.

South Africa Test squad for India series

Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.

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