India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and pacer Akash Deep have returned to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa. Pant, 28, who was named Test vice-captain earlier this year on May 24, missed the recent home Tests against the West Indies due to a foot injury sustained on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in July.
Having recovered completely, Pant proved his fitness by featuring in the four-day unofficial Test for India A against South Africa A last week, where he impressed both with the bat and behind the stumps. The southpaw is expected to play another red-ball match starting Thursday (November 6) to sharpen his game further ahead of the Test series. Pant replaces Narayan Jagadeesan in the squad.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Akash Deep also makes a comeback after missing the West Indies Tests due to fitness concerns. The right-arm pacer, who played three Tests in England earlier this year, replaces Prasidh Krishna in the squad. Both players’ returns strengthen India’s balance and experience in the red-ball format.
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India’s squad for the South Africa Tests: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Kuldeep Yadav.
India’s Test squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2025
The first Test will take place at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 14 to 18, followed by the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from November 22 to 26.
India last hosted South Africa for a Test series in October 2019, sweeping the visitors 3-0 under Virat Kohli’s leadership. South Africa, on the other hand, come into the series after a drawn two-match Test contest in Pakistan last month, where spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer starred with 13 wickets between them. Both are part of the 15-member squad named by Cricket South Africa for the India tour.
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South Africa’s squad for Test series vs India: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram (VC), Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Zubayr Hamza, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
