The Indian team has already reached South Africa for three match test series and as many ODIs. The team landed in Johannesburg on Thursday and is set to play the first test on Boxing Day at Centurion.
Many youngsters have been included for the test series mainly Rishabh Pant, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shardul Thakur and many more.
Due to the arrival of a lot of youngsters lately, there are a few players who might hang their gloves from the longest format of the game after the conclusion of the South Africa tour.
Here’s a list of five players who might retire from Test Cricket after the SA series.
- Ishant Sharma
The 33 year old fast bowler has been the go-to man for team India in tests. Since making his debut in 2007, Ishant has picked up 311 wickets in 105 matches for team India in tests. But his performances hasn’t been upto the mark lately. Sharma failed to pick up a single wicket in the home series against NZ.
The right arm pacer also failed to pick up a wicket in the home series against ENG as well. In 2021, Sharma has picked up 14 wickets in 8 games at an average of 32.71 so far.
- Wriddhiman Saha
The 37 year old wicketkeeper batsman only plays for India in the longest format of the game. However, the player has almost reached the end of his career. With young Indian players like Rishabh Pant and Srikar Bharat, there’s likely no place for Saha in the Indian team currently.
So far in 2021, Saha has only played two tests in which he has managed to score 102 runs at an average of 34. It is likely that Saha might retire after the South Africa tour.
- Ajinkya Rahane
The 33 year old Indian cricketer has failed to find his form lately. Because of which he has been removed from the vice-captain position in the longest format of the game.
Rahane has been an important batsman for team India in the middle order. So far in 2021, Rahane has managed to score 411 runs at an average of 19.57 in 11 innings.
- Umesh Yadav
The 34 year old fast bowler is only a part of the test team. However, he is not a regular member of the team owing to injuries. Since making his test debut in 2011, Umesh has picked up 225 wickets in 51 tests so far.
However, he has been a part of only three matches so far this year. In 6 innings, he has picked up 8 wickets at an average of 30.75. With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj leading the pace attack, Umesh might find it difficult to be a regular player in the playing XI.
- Jayant Yadav
The 31 year old right arm medium pacer gets very few chances to play in the test team. Since 2016, he has got the opportunity to play in only five matches in which he has picked up 16 wickets at an average of 26.81. Therefore, Yadav might retire from test cricket after the South Africa tour.