The BCCI has announced a modification to the lineup for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, commencing with the Boxing Day Test at Centurion. Ishan Kishan, initially considered one of India’s two wicketkeeping options, is now excluded from the squad due to personal reasons. Having debuted against the West Indies in July, Kishan’s spot will be filled by KS Bharat, India’s primary choice during the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in February-March.

🚨 UPDATE 🚨: Ishan Kishan withdrawn from #TeamIndia’s Test squad. KS Bharat named as replacement. #SAvIND

Details 🔽https://t.co/KqldTEeD0T

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 17, 2023

Mr. Ishan Kishan has requested release from the upcoming Test series against South Africa due to personal reasons, as stated in a BCCI announcement. Having scored a half-century in the West Indies, Kishan, initially rested for ODIs, will now miss both assignments. With his absence, KL Rahul, listed as a wicketkeeper, is poised for his first Test as a designated keeper-batter, with Bharat as backup. Rahul will assume the role of frontline wicketkeeper in ODIs and confirmed the same for Tests, batting in the middle order. The two-match Test series begins on December 26 in Centurion, featuring the return of Sharma, Kohli, and Bumrah after a post-World Cup break.

India’s Test squad for South Africa series: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk).