Ravindra Jadeja returns to Indian Test team against South Africa

Ravindra Jadeja returns to India’s Test squad after being dropped from the team for the tours of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while Ravichandran Ashwin — India’s best bowler by far across formats this year — will not miss out on the first two Tests. India’s national selectors met to select the Indian squad for the last two ODIs as well as the first two Tests of the four-match series. India’s Test squad was more or less settled, but all eyes were on Ashwin’s fitness. The openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan were obvious choices. Though Dhawan’s limited-overs form was a matter of concern, the selectors had no issues with his Test form. KL Rahul was expectedly included as a back-up opener. READ: Sreenath Aravind replaces Umesh Yadav in Indian squad for last 2 ODIs vs South Africa

Cheteshwar Pujara’s carry-the-bat effort helped India win the third Test against Sri Lanka and made him an automatic selection. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane filled up the remaining batting spots along with the skipper Virat Kohli. The tussle was going to be between Wriddhiman Saha and Naman Ojha for the keeper’s spot, but the former managed to retain his position. Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra were the obvious choices for the spin department and they got reinforcement in Jadeja. The pace foursome of Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and Varun Aaron complete the squad. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, and rookie batsman Karun Nair were the omissions from the squad that toured Sri Lanka.

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India’s squad for the Test series against South Africa: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.