India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Here's India's Playing XI

Visakhapatnam: India have announced their Playing XI for the first Test against South Africa. The match starts tomorrow (October 2) in Visakhapatnam.

The official Twitter handle of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the Playing XI on the eve of the match on Tuesday (October 1).

Also read: India vs South Africa 2019 series schedule, squads, live streaming information

“#TeamIndia for 1st Test of @Paytm  Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy against South Africa. Virat Kohli (Capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Md Shami #INDvSA,” BCCI wrote on its Twitter handle.

for 1st Test of Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy against South Africa.

Virat Kohli (Capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Md Shami

— BCCI (@BCCI)

Rohit Sharma has been confirmed as an opener. He will partner Mayank Agarwal at the top of the order. Wriddhiman Saha makes a comeback as first-choice wicketkeeper ahead of Rishabh Pant.

With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the three-match rubber for the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami will share the new ball. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be the spinners.

Ashwin too is making a comeback to the Test XI after being ignored for the recently concluded series against the West Indies, which India made a clean sweep 2-0. Jadeja was the lone spinner in both the Tests.

India Playing XI

Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami

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