Aoba Tanaka 
In an unexpected twist, Team India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan, has opted out of the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa due to personal reasons. This announcement follows fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s recent exclusion due to an ankle injury, leading to significant adjustments in India’s lineup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) promptly named KS Bharat, currently captaining India ‘A’ in South Africa, as Ishan Kishan’s replacement.
This decision comes on the heels of Rishabh Pant’s absence since a tragic car accident in December 2022. Bharat, initially emerging as the primary wicketkeeper, held the position for five consecutive Test matches, including the World Test Championship final in June. However, with Bharat failing to secure a fifty in this stretch, selectors shifted focus to Ishan Kishan.
With Kishan stepping aside, KL Rahul is set to take on the wicketkeeping role in the Boxing Day Test match. This marks Rahul’s first appearance as a wicketkeeper in Test cricket, aligning with his recent affirmation to embrace this role across formats.
India’s squad, led by Rohit Sharma, is gearing up for the two Tests against South Africa, with the first match scheduled from December 26–30 at SuperSport Park in Centurion and the second from January 3–7, 2024, at Newlands. Stay tuned for further updates on India’s evolving lineup and preparations for this crucial Test series.
Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk).
