The series between India and South Africa is all set to begin on 12th March. This is India's last series before IPL. Hardik Pandya, Bhuvaneswar Kumar, and Shikhar Dhawan are declared fit and returned for the SA series.

Hardik last played an international game back in September last year against South Africa. He was picked for New Zealand Series in January but his comeback has delayed as BCCI wanted the player to spend more time in the rehab process. Meanwhile, he took part in DY Patil T20 Cup. He performed well with both bat and ball scoring 46, 105, 38, 158* in 4 games. Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvaneswar Series who have missed the New Zealand series are returned for this series.

India will miss the services of Rohit Sharma who is injured in T20 against New Zealand this year. Kedhar Jadhav is also missed out from the squad. Shradul Thakur who has conceded 227 runs at an economy of 8.05 in New Zealand ODI's is missed. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack along with Bhuvaneswar and Navdeep Saini. Mohammad Shami has also been rested after his blow to the shoulder in the New Zealand Tests.

The Prithvi Shaw opened along with Mayank Agarwal in New Zealand Series has retained his spot in absence of Rohit Sharma. Mayank leaves his spot for Dhawan due to his poor performance in the series. This is the first squad selected by new selectors Sunil Joshi and Harvinder Singh.

The Indian squad for South Africa Series is:
Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, K.L Rahul, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Bhuvaneswar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Shubman Gill

India is planning to include both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja into playing11. Prithvi Shaw is likely to earn his opening spot. His failure paves the way to Gill. KL Rahul has taken the gloves meanwhile Rishabh Pant is taken as backup Wicket Keeper.

The fixtures of the series are scheduled for 12th March, 15th March, and 18th March.

New selectors have done a great job by selecting juniors in the squad. The absence of Big players like Rohit helps them to retain the spot and mainly it's the best way you can learn from the seniors and Indian coaching staff.

Gill and Shaw are very special and great Indian talent who helped India to win U-19 WC. One helped the team with his batting skills and other one helped with his great batting display. It's interesting that Gill played the way according to his master Dravid that doesn't lofting shots unnecessarily and played with patience.

Chahal and Kuldeep are consistent for India and there's no way to complain about them. It's a great chance for Saini to prove his worth in absence of Shami. He is one of the bowlers who can bowl consistently above 140 kmph and a very fit guy.

Pant is exceptional for India for Test Cricket and also the only Indian WK-Batsmen who scored centuries in England and Australia. But his performances in white-ball cricket is below par and lost his WK position to Rahul. It's sad about Samson who is on and off the squad in recent times.

But Rahul, Pant, and Samson are current Indian WK Batsmen who can able to fill the shoes of MS. Step up, Young man. The Indian team needs your services.

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Jai Hind

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