South Africa announce 21-man squad for three match Test series against India

South Africa have named a 21-man squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against India. The series was in jeopardy after the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron hit the African nation. However, BCCI went ahead with the tour after assurance from the South Africa foreign ministry. The tour was pushed back a bit and will now start on December 26 in Centurion. The teams will play the Test and ODI series, while the T20Is have been postponed for now. 

Speaking about the squad, it boasts of all prominent names, with Dean Elgar as the skipper. South Africa have recalled fast bowler Duanne Olivier, who will form a lethal combination with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje. Olivier was rewarded for a stellar show in domestic cricket where he picked 28 wickets in eight innings this year.

India is yet to win a series in South Africa. They came close to winning on the last tour but eventually lost the series 2-1. However, the team has great odds going into the upcoming series. India is high on confidence after series wins over Australia and England. South Africa, on the other hand, have gone downhill. They did beat West Indies in June but India will pose a different challenge. 

South Africa's Test squad for 3-match series vs India

Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.

Full Schedule of South Africa vs India series

1st Test - December 26 to 30 in Centurion

2nd Test- January 3 to 7 in Johannesburg

3rd Test - January 11 to 15 in Cape Town