No Place For Mohammed Shami As Several Fresh Faces Included In The Odi Squad Against South Africa

Indian Cricket Board on Sunday announced the squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa starting on 6^th October. Shikhar Dhawan will be leading the side as the board announced a second-string squad for the series. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed the vice-captain of the team.

Youngsters, Rajat Patidar and Mukesh Sharma have also been brought into the team full of several youngsters. Interestingly, opener Prithvi Shaw, who has been enjoying incredible form with the bat, has again been given the cold shoulder by the selectors.

Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar has been rewarded for his stellar performances in domestic cricket and his breakthrough season in the Indian T20 League. He also had a brilliant run for India A against New Zealand A in the four-day games. Patidar smashed two centuries against the visitors.

Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar, a prolific red-ball bowler for Bengal, received the reward for performing just at the right time. He emerged as the top wicket-taker in first-class games against New Zealand ‘A’. Kumar followed that up with another stupendous show in the ongoing Irani Cup against 2019-20 Ranji champions Saurashtra.

Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has also been brought back into the team, while Sanju Samson also made the cut. Shardul Thakur has reaped the rewards for his brilliant all-round show against New Zealand A.

Pacer Avesh Khan, who was ruled out during the Asia Cup due to a fever-related illness, also found a spot in the 16-member squad. India’s 20-20 World Cup standbys Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar, and Ravi Bishnoi are also named in the squad.

The first match of the series will be played on October 6 in Lucknow. The second ODI will be held in Ranchi on October 9. The third and final ODI will be played in Delhi on October 11.

India’s ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubhman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohd. Siraj, Deepak Chahar