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Xtra Time Web Desk: Ajit Agarkar led selection committee have picked a full-strength squad for the two test match series against South Africa starting from December 26. The primary objective is to win the first ever test series in the Rainbow nation. And it was reflected in the test squad selection as the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have been drafted in the longer format after long injury lay-off.

The selectors have made a few notable changes from the side that played in the last series against West Indies in the Caribbean earlier in the year. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Navdeep Saini, Jaydev Unadkat, Axar Patel and KS Bharat have been dropped.

Rahane ordinary outings against West Indies where he scored only 8 and 3 in the two innings he played – meant his days were going to be numbered. He has been replaced by Shreyas Iyer who will add to the solidity in the middle order. KL Rahul is also going to be a key player in the middle order. In the press release, Rahul has been mentioned as a wicketkeeper, which will mean he will be the first-choice keeper. Hence the team management can play an extra bowler. Both Iyer and Rahul last played Tests during the home series vs Australia.

Apart from solidity in the middle, a full-strength pace attack is going to be a big boost for the Indian cricket team. Bumrah, who last played red-ball cricket back in July 2022, has Mohammed Shami (subject to fitness), Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar for company. The series will mark a return of Bumrah the Test bowler and everyone would be hoping that his body reacts well to the rigours of a multi-day game.

The selectors have picked three openers with captain Rohit Sharma, Yashashwi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The cricketer from Maharashtra will only get a chance if any one is injured. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will be the backbone of the middle order, going in at No 3 and 4 respectively.

Keeping the conditions, which offer pace and bounce, Krishna’s inclusion is a good decision as the lanky seamer has the knack of generating extra bounce and can move the ball both ways at brisk pace. Still early to say whether he would get a look in or not but will pose a good headache to the team management.

Assuming there will not be much offer for spinners on the wickets at SuperSport Park in Centurion and Newlands in Cape Town, the selectors have picked only two spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. It is very likely only one among the two will get a chance in playing XI.

India’s squad for Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Mohd. Shami*, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna.