Practice match between Board President XI and South Africa starting today

Vizag, Ta

Following the draw of the T-1 series against South Africa, some of the top players in India will try to get form in the previous practice match, starting tomorrow. While India have decided to field Rohit Sharma in the Test series against South Africa, they will all be looking at how the pairing of Rohit and Mayank Agarwal will look in the opening match tomorrow.

The three-day practice match is set to begin tomorrow at Vizag Stadium from 4.30pm. Gujarat Opener Priyank Panchal has also been given a place in the Board President XI. However he is less likely to get a chance to play.

Indian selectors have dropped Rahul after a consistent failure and replaced Rohit in the squad. India will try to pair Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal in the opener in the Test series against South Africa and both have been included in the practice match squad so that both can get practice.

This practice match will also be important for Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav. Bumrah has been included in the Test squad with injuries. Umesh Yadav will try to make it to the Test team by making an impressive appearance in a practice match.

Vice-captains Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari, who made a spectacular appearance in the Windies tour, are also considered as deciding in Play XI. He has been included in the Board President's XI squad to continue his batting practice.

Indian selectors have also included young openers like Shubhman Gill, Abhimanyu Iswaran and Priyanka Panchal in the President XI. The tourists are pleased with the draw of South Africa T-1 series and now they are preparing to make an impact in Test cricket. The absence of Bumrah will prove beneficial to them. South Africa have joined the Test specialist team and are now ready to take on the fight.

Board President XI: Agarwal, Rohit Sharma (Captain), Ishwaran, Priyank Panchal, Karun Nair, Siddhesh Lad, Shrikar Bharat (VK), Jalj Saxena, Dharmendra Singh Jadeja, Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Avash Pawal,

South Africa: Markram, Elgar, De Bruyne, Du Plessis (captain), Bawuma, De Kock (wk.), Philander, Maharaj, Ngidi, Rabada, Nortz, Piedt, Klaasen, Hamza, Muthuswamy.