Last Update on: November 16th, 2023 at 02:46 pm
At the end of 2023, the Indian team will travel to South Africa for a multi-format series. During the South Africa tour, Team India will play three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. The two-match Test series is scheduled to be played towards the end.
India has never defeated South Africa in a Test series on the latter’s home. This time, the Rohit Sharma & Co. will aim for the same. However, they will face a challenge against Proteas, who excel at their home turf. There are some Indian players who might retire from Tests after the South Africa tour. Here we talk about five of them.
IND vs SA: 5 Indian Players Who Can Retire From Tests After South Africa Tour
5. Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha’s career is over. The wicketkeeper-batsman has reached 39 years of age. With wicketkeepers like Rishabh Pant and KS Bharat at the forefront, there is no chance that Team India will go back for Wriddhiman Saha’s services.
The right-handed batsman last played a Test match against New Zealand in December 2021. Hence, he might put an end to his Test career after South Africa series.
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4. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma has lived his career and finished as one of the best Test pacers for India. The right-arm pacer played more than 100 Tests for India. However, he has been overlooked in Tests for quite a few years now.
The 35-year-old last played a Test match against New Zealand in November 2021. Due to his series of poor shows, he was dropped from the side. Pacers like Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah have done a marvellous job in Tests in the past. Therefore, Sharma has no chance to make a comeback to the Test side.
3. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav was in and out of the Test team for the last few years. However, the right-arm pacer did play for India in the ICC World Test Championship final 2023, where India lost to Australia. Umesh Yadav has been overlooked after the WTC final.
Hence, it is clear that selectors want to go ahead with fresh talent in the pace department. New pacers like Mukesh Kumar and Umran Malik have already barged into the Test team. Therefore, if not picked for the South Africa tour, Umesh Yadav can pull down the curtains on his Test career.
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2. Jaydev Unadkat
Jaydev Unadkat made history after he made his comeback to the Test side after a gap of 10 years. With consistent performance in domestic cricket, the left-arm seamer was picked for many Test matches during the last year.
However, it is quite evident that he has failed to replicate his domestic performance in international cricket. Hence, he might retire from the Tests after the South Africa tour.
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1. Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav has become a forgotten name in the Indian Test team, although he played his last Test match in March 2022. Yadav is an off-spinner who has played a limited number of Tests for India. However, he has been dropped in every Test match since March last year.
In the spin department, players like Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have sealed their places in the Test squad. Hence, Yadav might not be able to return to Test cricket. Hence, he can retire from Tests this year.
