Rahul’s expulsion from the team could also pave the way for Rohit Sharma to open against South Africa. Under-19 World Cup star Shubman Gill has got maiden Test call up.
The 20-year-old Gill’s inclusion was on expected lines after he top-scored for India A in the tour of West Indies and was adjudged man of the series. He became the youngest Indian to score a first-class double hundred during the series.
The chief selector MSK Prasad also said that selectors want to give Rohit an opportunity to open the innings in Tests. This is something that former India captain Sourav Ganguly also advocated some time ago
Pacer Umesh Yadav, who did not get to play against Windies, failed to make the cut in the 15-member squad.
Rohit will captain the Board President’s XI, which will take on the South Africans in a three-day tour match in Vizianagaram from September 26.
India’s first Test against South Africa will start in Visakhapatnam on October 2, while the second and third games will be held in Pune (October 10-14) and Ranchi (October 19-23) respectively.
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