Temba Bavuma, the South African batter, will be taking a break from the upcoming home white-ball series against India this month following a disappointing performance in the Cricket World Cup. Despite his struggles in the ODIs, Bavuma is set to lead the team in the two-Test series commencing on Dec 26.
Bavuma, who acknowledged not being at full fitness during South Africa's exit from the World Cup semi-finals, had an average of 18.12 in the tournament, opening the innings and managing a high score of 35 in eight games.
Aiden Markram will assume the captaincy for both the Twenty20 and One Day International (ODI) sides against India. This dual responsibility could potentially extend into the future. Quinton de Kock, having retired from ODIs post the World Cup, remains available for T20s. However, he will skip the upcoming series to participate in Australia's Big Bash with the Melbourne Renegades.
The Test squad sees the inclusion of newcomers David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs, along with fast bowler Nandre Burger featuring in all three formats. Wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder make a return for the test and ODI series. Notably, premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will be rested from limited-overs matches to participate in domestic four-day cricket and prepare for the upcoming test matches. Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen are also excluded from the ODIs for the same reason.
Test coach Shukri Conrad expressed enthusiasm about having a near full-strength squad for the Test series, signaling the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
India's tour will kick off with three T20 matches in Durban, Gqeberha, and Johannesburg from Dec 10-14. The format will then switch to three ODIs between Dec. 17-21, held in the latter two venues and Paarl. The first Test is scheduled for Dec 26 in Pretoria, followed by the second on Jan 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.
Here are the squads:
**T20 squad:**
- Aiden Markram (captain)
- Ottniel Baartman
- Matthew Breetzke
- Nandre Burger
- Gerald Coetzee
- Donovan Ferreira
- Reeza Hendricks
- Marco Jansen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj
- David Miller
- Lungi Ngidi
- Andile Phehlukwayo
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Lizaad Williams
**ODI squad:**
- Aiden Markram (captain)
- Ottniel Baartman
- Nandre Burger
- Tony de Zorzi
- Reeza Hendricks
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Mihlali Mpongwana
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Andile Phehlukwayo
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Kyle Verreynne
- Lizaad Williams
**Test squad:**
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham
- Nandre Burger
- Gerald Coetzee
- Tony de Zorzi
- Dean Elgar
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Lungi Ngidi
- Keegan Petersen
- Kagiso Rabada
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne
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