South Africa vs India

India to miss two pacers in series against South Africa

India will be without the services of two of its main pacers on the tour of South Africa in different formats. The Indian team is set to miss Mohammed Shami in the Test series against SA. The star pacer has been ruled out of Tests against SA due to an ankle injury he sustained in the ODI World Cup 2023. Reports claim that he is yet to recover from it to a full extent.

The replacement of Shami has not been announced by India. But Prasidh Krishna is likely to make his Test debut in Tests against South Africa. On the other hand, India is set to miss the services of Deepak Chahar in the ODIs, as he informed about his unavailability to the Indian cricket board. Reports claim that Chahar’s father is unwell, and Chahar is about to meet his father.

“Deepak Chahar has informed the BCCI that he will not be available for the upcoming ODI series due to a family medical emergency. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr Akash Deep as his replacement,” read the statement of the Indian Cricket Board. Akash Deep has given good performances in domestic cricket for Bengal and has been rewarded for the same.

Rahul Dravid unlikely to coach India in ODIs

The Indian Cricket Board also confirmed that Rahul Dravid and Co will not be coaching the Indian team in ODIs against SA. Instead, a new coaching personnel is named for ODIs. “The ODI team will be assisted by India A’s Coaching Staff comprising batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, bowling coach Rajib Datta and fielding coach Ajay Ratra,” added the statement of the Indian Cricket Board.

India also confirmed that Iyer would be taking part in the second ODI against SA. “After the conclusion of the first ODI in Johannesburg on 17th December, Shreyas Iyer will join the Test squad to prepare for the Test series. He will not be available for the second and third ODI and will take part in the inter-squad game,” concluded the statement of the Indian Cricket Board.