Bumrah in India Test squad for South Africa tour, Parthiv returns

NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah, whose impressive show in limited overs format has made him India’s prime death bowler, may finally get a chance to show his skills in the whites when India travels to South Africa for a three-Test series, starting on January 5.

The 23-year-old fast bowler was a surprise inclusion in the 17-member squad, announced on Monday. Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel also made a comeback to the India squad.

Apart from the two, there were no real surprises. The selectors have included five pacers in the squad – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma being the other four.

However, it is Bumrah’s inclusion that was the highlight. Considered by many as a limited overs specialist, due to his unique action, Bumrah has played 28 ODIs and 30 T20s. He has taken 52 and 40 wickets respectively in those formats at an average of 22.28 and 18.40.

The other surprise inclusion, Patel, last played for India in December 2016 against England when Wriddhiman Saha was injured.

But a consistent performance for Gujarat in Ranji Trophy, both with the bat and behind the stumps, has earned hism a call-up. In the second week of November, he scored 173 against Rajasthan.

KOHLI RESTED FOR T20S

Virat Kohli’s resting period will continue in the three-T20 series against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma will lead in his place.

The squad has three new faces in all-rounders Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar and pacer Basil Thampi. Fast bowlers Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammed Siraj also makes a return to the national squad.