What are the changes India have made to their test squad for the South Africa series?

India will host South Africa in a two-match test series starting November 14.

India’s tour of Australia is in its last stage and will conclude on Saturday, 8th November. Following the tour, India will host South Africa in a multi-format series at home. The series will comprise of two tests, three ODIs and five T20Is. While the two tests will be part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, ODIs and T20Is will help India prepare for the upcoming white-ball World Cups.

India have started the new ICC WTC cycle positively under new captain Shubman Gill. They are placed third in the points table with PCT of 61.90. If they manage to beat South Africa, it will be a great boost to their chances to make it to the finals.

On Wednesday, 5th November, the Indian selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar announced India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming test series against South Africa. It saw the all-important return of Rishabh Pant, who was ruled out of action since July after suffering a foot injury during the test tour of England.

What changes have India made to their test squad?

India’s test squad announcement for the two-match test series against South Africa didn’t see many changes in the squad. There were only two changes in the squad from the 15-member side, who played against the West Indies last month.

After recovering from injury and being declared fit, Rishabh Pant returned to the Indian test side, replacing Narayan Jagadeesan, who replaced him in the test side for the fifth test against England in August and then the home test series against the West Indies. Moreover, Pant has also taken over the reigns of vice-captaincy from Ravindra Jadeja, who was appointed in the role for the West Indies tests in the absence of the wicket-keeper batter.

Apart from Rishabh Pant’s inclusion, the only other change in the Indian test squad was the return of Akash Deep, who replaced Prasidh Krishna in the pace department. To surprise many, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been performing great in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26, has been overlooked by the selectors again.

India’s 15-member test squad for South Africa series

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (wk) (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

The first test between the hosts and the defending ICC World Test Champions will take place from November 14 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens Stadium. The second test of the series will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, which will make its test debut.

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