Indian team squad for Test series against South Africa was announced
Cricket fans, it’s news for you: that moment has arrived. Indian team squad for Test series against South Africa was announced. And this is not just a list of names, it is a carefully calibrated strategy, a mixture of experience and young blood hungry for victory. Without further ado, let’s figure out who’s got their coveted chance to prove themselves on the international stage.
Indian team squad for Test series against South Africa was announced: captain
Imagine the pressure of leading India in a Test series. And this heavy burden falls on the shoulders of Shubman Gill. A right-handed, elegant and incredibly talented batsman who has scored centuries in all formats of cricket matches. His career is already under close scrutiny. Now he will have to not only gain runs, but also lead the team. Will he be up to the task? That’s the question that haunts all fans.
Vice-captain and wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant
And here is the news that has sent a wave of relief and joy through the cricketing community! Rishabh Pant, the beloved bowling attack destroyer and left-hander with unique charisma, is returning to the national team. And not just returning, but immediately as vice-captain and main wicketkeeper. After a long break due to injury, all eyes will be on him. Let’s see if he can once again demonstrate that same reckless, aggressive style of play that drove opponents crazy.
Striking power: batsmen
Those from whom we expect real fireworks on the field are gathered here.
Yashasvi Jaiswal. A left-hander who has already managed to surprise everyone and become one of the highest-paid players. His ability to take the crease and bat from the first ball makes him the best option for the opening innings.
KL Rahul. An experienced right-hander, a rock in the lineup, and the first Indian to hit a century on his debut. His composure and ability to play long innings are the foundation on which huge totals can be built.
Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. Both are left-handed, both have elegant technique. For them, this is a chance to prove that their stars have not been in vain and that they are ready for the big leagues.
Dhruv Jurel. Right-handed, second wicket-keeper in the lineup. He was awarded Player of the Match in just his second Test match. His inclusion is a look into the future, an opportunity to learn from Pant himself and be ready to pick up the baton at any moment.
Spin-department all-rounders
Who is India’s main strengths at home? Of course, spin bowlers, who can also work wonders with the bat.
Ravindra Jadeja. The legend, he held the number one spot in the ICC Test cricket all-rounder rankings for long periods in 2021 and 2025. Lefty with a bat and with a ball. He’s called “Sir” for a reason: on the field, he can turn a match around in both batting and bowling. His presence in a team is a huge asset.
Axar Patel. Another left-handed all-rounder. He’s the first bowler to take eleven wickets in a Day/Night Test. His bowling often proves an insoluble puzzle for foreign batsmen, and with the bat he can cause a lot of trouble for lower-order batsmen.
Washington Sundar. A unique player! He’s left-handed with a bat, but bowls with his right hand, and off-spin. This unconventionality disrupts the opponent’s usual calculations.
Kuldeep Yadav. Wrist-spin specialist, left-handed. The first and only Indian bowler to perform two hat-tricks in ODI matches. His intricate deliveries can look like pure magic. At the right moment, he is capable of breaking the batsmen’s partnership in the middle of the innings.
Pace-attack
To beat South Africa, it’s need not only a clever spin attack but also a fast, aggressive pace attack. And here India has something to offer.
Jasprit Bumrah. A superstar. For a long time he held the first place in the world ranking of bowlers in the ODI and Test formats. A right-hander with a unique action and pace that scares the best batsmen in the world.
Mohammed Siraj. An energetic and emotional right-hander. In August 2025, he received the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award. He can generate incredible pace and movement of the ball, constantly forcing batsmen into making mistakes.
Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Young and hungry. Akash is a right-handed fast-medium bowler who promises stability. And Nitish is an interesting all-rounder, a right-hander who can both score runs and bowl with good speed. Their inclusion suggests that selectors are looking for depth and variety.
Indian team squad for Test series against South Africa was announced, and it’s a mix of proven classics and new names yet to prove themselves. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been named in India’s A squad for the ODI series against South Africa A, but they have retired from Test format. This makes it clear that the focus is on the next generation. There’s not much time left to wait: the first Test match is already on November,14 in Kolkata, and the second on November,22 in Guwahati.
