Will Gautam Gambhir,Zaheer Khan make cut for South Africa Tests?

Gambhir found form at the right time and scored 153 against Haryana in Ranji Trophy.

The national selectors are likely to pick a 16-member squad for the Test series that begins in South Africa on December 18.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja,who was rested for the two-Test series against the West Indies as he was suffering from a shoulder strain,in all likelihood,is set to make a comeback to the Test side.

With Rohit Sharma,who made his debut against West Indies in Kolkata,in the form of his life,the middle-order falls into place with Cheteshwar Pujara at No.3,followed by Virat Kohli and Rohit and MS Dhoni in the post-Tendulkar era.

The selectors will debate on whether or not Gautam Gambhir,who could make the squad as the reserve opener,and Zaheer Khan 13 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches at 19.84 this season have done enough to make the Test squad.

Gambhir found form at the right time and scored 153 against Haryana in Ranji Trophy. He has made 372 runs in three Ranji matches at 74.40. However,there is a chance that the selectors might just pick Dinesh Karthik to serve the dual purpose of a back-up opener and reserve wicketkeeper. Theres also a possibility that both could be in the squad.

The selectors will speak to the team management to know what the captain and coach are thinking. If Zaheer is brought back,can he beincorporated into the playing XI? Also,theyve to check if five pace bowlers are required for a two-Test series, a source close to the selection committee told The Indian Express.

With Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar certain to play,and Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma already part of the set-up,it will be the team management which could have the final say on the number of pacers going to South Africa.

Story continues below this ad

Saurashtra medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat is also said to be in contention but the selectors have to decide whether they will replace the third spinner,mostly likely Amit Mishra,with a seam bowler or include an extra batsman.

The team for the ODIs,which precedes the Test series,picks itself except for a couple of places. Since his return to the ODI team,Yuvraj Singh hasnt done anything significant apart from his 35-ball 77 in the T20 international against Australia at Rajkot. He struggled against Mitchell Johnsons pace and bounce even on the featherbeds in the ODIs. Against West Indies also,in Vizag,he got out to a back of a length delivery from Darren Sammy after a laborious 28.