On Tuesday, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the playing XI for the 1st Test of the three-match series against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha have managed to make a comeback in the playing XI after warming the bench in the recently-concluded two Tests against West Indies and would be looking to cement their positions in the team with some good performances.
While Rohit will be replacing KL Rahul in the team, Saha has been included as a replacement of Rishabh Pant. The Test series opener also marks a return for Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI.
The three-match Test series will also be marking the commencement of India’s home season in the ICC World Test Championship. Currently, Virat Kohli and his men are leading the standings after clean-sweeping West Indies in the recently-concluded three-match Test series in the Caribbean nation. A series win will also see India break Australia’s long-standing record of 10 home Test series wins.
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Saha to keep wickets for India ahead of Pant in South Africa series confirms Kohli. Ajinkya Rahane hints at Team India’s playing XI combination for Test series opener against South Africa.
#TeamIndia for 1st Test of @Paytm Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy against South Africa.
Virat Kohli (Capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Md Shami#INDvSA
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 1, 2019
Rohit along with Mayank Agarwal will open the innings whereas Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari continue to make the Indian middle-order stead against the Proteas. The series opener will mark a return for Saha in the Test playing XI and he will be desperate to leave a mark with both gloves and the willow.
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Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be handling the spin department but the team management and fans would love to see the duo contribute with the bat as well. With Jasprit Bumrah missing the Test series due to a lower back injury, the responsibility of the pace attack will be on Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami for the Test series opener against South Africa.
Team India Playing XI for the Vizag Test: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Md Shami
