India’s Test vice-captain, KL Rahul, has been picked for the upcoming trip of South Africa as Rohit Sharma pulled out of the three-Test series due to a hamstring injury, he takes over as Virat Kohli’s deputy.
Rahul’s status in the Test team has risen dramatically as a result of this appointment. After being kept out for two years by the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, and Mayank Agarwal, Rahul finally got his chance during India’s tour of England in August this year and impressed with a tight 84 in the first Test in Nottingham.
In the next match, the 29-year-old went one better, scoring a century at Lord’s in a Test that India went on to win. Before the fifth Test was postponed due to Covid-19, his form, along with that of co-opener Rohit, formed the foundation of India’s 2-1 advantage.
Despite missing the previous home Test series against New Zealand due to injury, captain Kohli has already prepared Rahul to start the batting in South Africa alongside Karnataka teammate Mayank, who was among the runs against New Zealand.
The first Test will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26.
India’s Test squad: Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj
