The Proteas will host India in three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.
The Proteas will host India in three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests. The series will run from December 10 to January 7.
Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada have been rested for the white-ball leg of the tour and will return for Tests. Aiden Markram, who is captaining South Africa in T20Is, will lead the ODI side in Bavuma's absence.
“Captain Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada are amongst a group of players that have been omitted for the white-ball leg of the tour in order to play red-ball cricket as emphasis is placed on the Test series for which both will return,” CSA said in a statement.
The white-ball squads feature several players who participated in the recently held ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, including Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi among others.
Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi will miss the final T20I as well as the ODI series to prepare for the red-ball fixtures by taking part in first-class matches.
“After an excellent overall showing at the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, we want to capitalise on that momentum and continue building on our core group during this Freedom Series," limited-overs' head coach Rob Walter said, as quoted by ICC.
“We have a busy summer ahead starting with the T20Is and then ODIs against India and we have therefore taken the decision to omit several of our senior players. This decision was taken together with coach Shukri as we place emphasis on the red-ball leg of the tour meaning they will instead be preparing for the Test series by playing domestic cricket. In saying that, the move has presented opportunities for others that have been performing well on domestic level to be drafted in."
All-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana, batter David Bedingham and fast bowler Nandre Burger have earned their maiden international call-ups. While Mpongwana has been named in the ODI squad, Bedingham has been added to the Test squad. Burger, who has had a fantastic domestic season, has been included in all three squads.
Batter Tristan Stubbs has received his maiden Test call-up while wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne has been named in the ODI and Test squads.
“It is the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle and that itself is a huge incentive for everyone. The playing field is level and we want to try and ensure we make a strong start to this sequence here at home against one of the best teams in the world.
“Overall we believe this group has all the attributes to deliver on our objective, which is to maintain our proud record against India in South Africa,” Test coach Shukri Conrad quoted as saying by ICC.
South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee (1st and 2ndT20Is), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen (1st and 2nd T20Is), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi (1st and 2nd T20Is), Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams
South Africa ODI squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams
South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne
(With ICC Inputs)