India name 15-man squad for SA Tests as Pant returns, Deep recalled

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday named a 15-man squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa beginning November 14, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant returning from injury and pacer Akash Deep recalled to the Test fold. The first Test will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 to 18, followed by a landmark second Test at ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati from November 22 to 26, the city’s first Test match.

Pant, who suffered a foot fracture during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in July and missed the recent home series against the West Indies, has been cleared to resume international duty. He completed rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and demonstrated match fitness by captaining India A to victory over South Africa A in a four-day match, scoring 90 in a successful fourth-innings chase. Pant retains the vice-captaincy he was assigned in May and is expected to rejoin the senior squad after one more India A match beginning November 6.

The selectors made two changes to the side that faced the West Indies. Pant replaces Narayan Jagadeesan in the 15-man group, and Akash Deep has been...