Pant Returns to Test Squad; Shami Left Out Against South Africa

New Delhi, Nov 5 (PTI) – Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a much-anticipated return to India's Test squad for the upcoming two-match home series against South Africa, but once again, selectors overlooked pacer Mohammed Shami, raising questions about the senior pacer's career prospects.

Pant's comeback to international cricket follows his recovery from a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July, which ruled him out of the subsequent series against the West Indies. The 26-year-old impact player recently led India A to victory over South Africa A in a four-day match in Bengaluru, scoring 90 runs in the second innings during a 275-run chase. He replaced N Jagadeesan in the 15-man squad and has been named as vice-captain to Shubhman Gill.

Is Shami's India career over?

Despite performing admirably in three recent Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal, 35-year-old Shami did not secure a spot in the Test squad. Once part of a formidable pace duo with Jasprit Bumrah, Shami guided Bengal to victories over Uttarakhand and Gujarat with his skills. Across three matches, he bowled 93 overs in short spells and took over 15 wickets.

However, selectors appear skeptical of Shami's ability to endure the demands of Test cricket, which involves long bowling spells. Concerns about his fitness were intensified by Shami's public statements, which might have adversely affected his selection. Shami remarked that it wasn't his responsibility to provide fitness updates. With India not scheduled for Test matches for six months after the South Africa series, Shami—who boasts 462 wickets across formats—faces an uncertain future in the team. He last played a Test in 2023 and has participated in ODIs and T20Is this year.

The pace department now seems settled with Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna. Akash Deep, returning from a shoulder injury, was also recalled. After participating in the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy, he is set to join the India A squad for another match against South Africa A in Bengaluru.

India's pace attack, featuring Bumrah and Siraj, is complemented by a spin department led by veteran Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and all-rounder Washington Sundar. The first Test will take place in Kolkata on November 14, followed by the second in Guwahati on November 22.

The selectors also announced India A's ODI squad for a three-match series against South Africa A, with Tilak Varma appointed as skipper. The matches are scheduled in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19.

India's Test squad includes: 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, and Akash Deep.

India A's ODI squad comprises: Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, and Prabhsimran Singh (WK).

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