Pant Returns to Test Squad; Shami Left Out Again for South Africa Series
New Delhi: Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Wednesday (November 5, 2025) made a much-anticipated return to India’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match home series against South Africa, while senior pacer Mohammed Shami was once again overlooked, casting doubt on his future in the longest format.
Pant’s comeback to international cricket follows his recovery from a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester earlier this year. The 26-year-old missed the subsequent tour of the West Indies but recently impressed as India A captain, scoring a crucial 90 in their four-day victory over South Africa A in Bengaluru.
Pant replaces N. Jagadeesan in the 15-member squad and will serve as vice-captain under Shubman Gill.
Shami, however, despite strong domestic performances, failed to make the cut. The 35-year-old Bengal pacer has been in fine form in the Ranji Trophy, guiding his team to wins over Uttarakhand and Gujarat with over 15 wickets in three matches. However, selectors reportedly remain uncertain about his ability to handle the physical demands of Test cricket, which requires long bowling spells.
His recent public remarks on fitness — saying it was not his responsibility to provide updates — may also have worked against him. With India not scheduled to play another Test series for at least six months after South Africa, Shami’s absence could indicate the curtains closing on his Test career, during which he has taken 462 international wickets.
Meanwhile, Bengal pacer Akash Deep has earned a recall after recovering from a shoulder injury. He recently returned to competitive cricket via the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy and will also feature for India A in their upcoming four-day match against South Africa A starting Thursday (November 6) in Bengaluru.
India’s pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, supported by Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna, while the spin department will rely on Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.
The first Test will be played in Kolkata from November 14, followed by the second Test in Guwahati from November 22.
Additionally, the selectors announced India A’s ODI squad for a three-match series against South Africa A, to be played in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19, with Tilak Varma as captain.
India’s Test Squad:
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.
India A ODI Squad:
Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
