The Indian Premier League is about to kick off on March 26. And the most important question for the players across the world is whether they will choose the IPL over their national duties. That’s what happened in the South African Test squad against Bangladesh. The Proteas will host Bangladesh for three ODIs and two Test matches. Three ODIs will be followed by two Tests. On Thursday, CSA announced the 15-member squad for the Test series against Bangladesh.
Notably, some of the big names are missing from the 15-man squad. The bowling lineup will be missing their ace bowlers. Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen will not play in the Test series. In the batting department, Aiden Markram and Rassie Van Der Dussen will not be part of the series. All these players are part of the Indian Premier League. Hence, they have chosen to participate in the cash-rich league over the Bangladesh series.
It is not the first incident where players have had to choose between the IPL and international matches. As a result, South Africa will be seen as having a relatively weak side. It came as a mutual agreement between the CSA and the players’ union. They gave permission to the players to compete in the IPL despite the Bangladesh Test series. Batsman Khaya Zondo has got his place back in the absence of other regular members.
Test Squad for South Africa
Zondo has got his maiden Test call. On the other hand, the hero of the Test series against India, Keegan Petersen, is also back with the team. He was not part of the squad against New Zealand due to a COVID infection. Convenor of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang, also released a statement. He said, “The loss of the IPL players is not ideal, but we back the CSA system. It’s ever growing pipeline and most of all, the players we have selected.”
The three-match ODI series will end on March 23. The first Test will start on March 31st, Thursday at Kingsmead, Durban. The second test will kick off on Friday, April 8 at St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth.
Squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo.