India announces Test squad for South Africa series; Rishabh Pant makes comeback

After recovering from a foot fracture, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant makes a strong comeback to India’s Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa starting November 14.

Rishabh Pant has made his long-awaited return to India’s Test team for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa, beginning November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The second Test will be played in Guwahati from November 22, marking the city’s first-ever Test match.

Pant’s inclusion, replacing N. Jagadeesan, was confirmed during a selection committee meeting on Wednesday. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter had been sidelined since July after sustaining a foot fracture during the fourth Test against England in Manchester. His return comes as a major boost for India ahead of the crucial World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures.

🚨 Presenting #TeamIndia's squad for the Test series against South Africa 👍#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBankpic.twitter.com/Ca2ccy4KK5

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2025

Also Read:Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan reunite after 46 years for ‘Thalaivar 173’

Proving his fitness and form, Pant recently led India A to victory against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He scored a vital 90 in the second innings to guide his team to a successful chase of 275 runs, a performance that reassured selectors of his readiness.

India’s Test squad remains largely unchanged from their previous home series against the West Indies. Several key players including captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are currently in Australia for the ongoing T20I series and will join the Test squad after its conclusion on November 8.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav has been released early from T20I duties after the third match in Hobart to feature in India A’s second four-day game against South Africa A, beginning November 6.

Also Read:Hebbal flyover loop nears completion, promises smoother airport-city travel

India, currently placed third in the World Test Championship standings with 61.90% points, will look to strengthen their position with a strong performance against South Africa, who sit fifth with 50%. The series promises to be an exciting contest, marking a new chapter in Pant’s international comeback story.

India’s Test Squad:

Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep