India will be bolstered by the return of former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma - both of whom have retired from Test cricket - adding more depth and experience to the side.
Shami, 35, was left out of India's 15-member squad for the two home Tests against South Africa, scheduled to commence on Friday at the famed Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Before his most recent snub, Shami had openly expressed his disappointment about being sidelined from India's recent Test fixtures.
Jadeja completes 4,000 Test runs, enters elite all-round club
With India's home aura cracking again, Sourav Ganguly has stepped into the pitch debate admitting the Eden surface was far from ideal but stressing that a world-class Test side should never crumble in pursuit of 124.
'You are talking about legends like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid and Virat. Rohit does not fit in there.'
Shubman Gill retired hurt after suffering a neck sprain while attempting a slog-sweep off Simon Harmer on the second day of the first Test against South Africa, in Kolkata, on Saturday.
K L Rahul takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the series because of a neck injury.
While Delhi was set to host the opening Test against South Africa from November 14-18, it will now host the second Test against West Indies starting October 10.
Graeme Smith emphasised the importance of getting off to a strong start in the upcoming Test series against India
Asked about losing yet another toss, Gill quipped, 'I think the only toss that I'm going to win is hopefully in the WTC finals.'
Shane Watson enjoyed a stellar IPL career spanning 12 years from 2008-2020, having played for Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings.
'You saw Yashasvi Jaiswal start in the second innings, did you see the first three balls, the kind of shots that he attempted?'
A look at India's narrowest victories by run margin -- games that tested nerves, showcased grit, and etched unforgettable drama into Test history.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak is livid with the criticism that has been directed towards head coach Gautam Gambhir after India's defeat to South Africa in the opening Test.
Images from Day 2 of the 1st Test between India and West Indies in Ahmedabad
'It (the pitch) wasn't free-flowing. You felt comfortable, but the scoreboard wasn't going anywhere.'
With the scars of last year's home series whitewash against New Zealand still raw, preparing rank turners may invite risk.
The pitch, left unwatered for nearly a week, appeared dry and brown with faint traces of grass, conditions that could bring reverse swing and variable bounce into play later in the match.
Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has confirmed that he will be fully available to bowl in the Indian Premier League's 2026 season, clarifying that his listing as a batter rather than an all-rounder ahead of Tuesday's auction was due to a "stuff-up" by his manager.
Countering Bumrah before spinners come into play will be key for SA: Graeme Smith
Pant's wicketkeeping experience to aid India captaincy in Guwahati: Ricky Ponting
Gill stretchered out with neck injury; ''just bad timing'', says Morne Morkel
For the first time since 2012, India walked off Eden Gardens on the wrong side of a Test result. A tricky pitch, a chaotic chase, and the absence of captain Shubman Gill combined to hand South Africa a 30-run win that reshapes the WTC race.
Marco Jansen's dream Test continues; flurry of records shattered in Guwahati
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant is understandably delighted to have made a difficult comeback from the latest injury setback.
India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
South Africa completed a memorable 2-0 series sweep against India after off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed 6/37 to bowl the Proteas to a comprehensive 408-run victory in the second Test,
The Proteas arrive high on confidence, having fought out a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month under challenging conditions.
South Africa sharpen spin game in attacking net session ahead of Eden Test
This was Virat Kohli's 84th century in international cricket only behind Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the world record with 100 hundreds.
The collapse, India's lowest failed chase at home, has left behind deeper fault lines than a dry Eden Gardens wicket can conceal.
Simon Harmer picked up four wickets as South Africa staged an incredible fightback to shock India by 30 runs in a low-scoring first Test match.
Gill may miss ODI series due to unhealed neck injury; Rahul, Pant in line for ODI captaincy
Virat Kohli arrived in Ranchi ahead of the first One-Day International against South Africa on Wednesday morning.
'I definitely believe the kind of form he is in, the way he is batting, it will strengthen the Indian batting line-up.'
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince said the Proteas' ODI side still needs to sharpen its temperament in "clutch moments".
Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the Indian squad for the last two T20I against Australia.
Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel faced spinners while wearing only one pad to counter the turning deliveries, a method that comes with an element of risk, in Kolkata on Monday.
'When you are playing on spin-friendly pitches, you need to prepare differently.'
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh finds it a bit unfortunate that the future of legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is being decided by "people who have not achieved much" but he nonetheless expects the duo to carry on till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances