NEW DELHI: Temba Bavuma will return to lead South Africa after recovering from a calf strain as the 15-member squad for the two-match Test series against India has been announced on Monday. He missed the recent Pakistan series while completing his recovery from the injury.

He will skip the white-ball matches beginning in Pakistan this week but is set to feature for the South Africa A side in a first-class game against India A in Bengaluru before linking up with the senior Test squad.

The opening Test begins on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by the second Test in Guwahati, where the ACA Stadium is set to host its first-ever Test from November 22.

Bavuma, who sat out the World Test Champions’ recent tour of Pakistan due to injury, returns to lead South Africa after the team fought back to level the series 1-1 - largely thanks to the spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy.

All three spinners have retained their spots for the upcoming India series, while Prenelan Subrayen has been left out of the 15-member squad. Middle-order batter David Bedingham is another omission from the Pakistan tour.

The return of Bavuma strengthens a batting lineup that now includes Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, and Ryan Rickelton, with Kyle Verreynne set to continue as wicketkeeper. The pace attack will once again be spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, supported by Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and Corbin Bosch.

"We've kept the bulk of the squad that competed in the two-match series against Pakistan. Those players showed real character and fought hard to come from behind and draw that series," head coach Shukri Conrad said.

"We are anticipating a similar challenge in India, and many of the players who stood up in those conditions will once again be key for us.

"Pakistan was a squad effort and India will demand the same. Every player has a role to play in ensuring we remain competitive in what is always a tough place to tour," he added.

SA Squad for India Tests: Temba Bavuma (capt), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer