Proteas stars Steyn, Faf line-up to face India

MUMBAI: After mauling the hapless Zimbabweans within two 'nights' in the first-ever four-day day-night Test, the South Africans are now gunning for India.
On Friday, the Proteas named a strong, full-strength15-member squad for the first Test between the teams, which will begin at Cape Town from January 5. After missing the Boxing Day Test against Zimbabwe due to an injury, a fit-again Faf du Plessis has returned to lead the side, which also includes Dale Steyn, who too didn't feature in the game despite being apart of the squad.
In Faf du Plessis' absence, Ab de Villiers, who played his first Test in almost two years, had led South Africa to a comfortable win against Zimbabwe. De Villiers' return to Test cricket has bolstered SA's batting. The 33-year-old scored a 65-ball 53 against Zimbabwe, and would now be keen to make a bigger impact against India - a country where he has perhaps more fans than back home in SA.
As if five fast bowlers weren't enough, the hosts, clearly with an eye to 'blast out' the Indians right away, have further boosted their pace battery by adding fast bowling all-rounder Chris Morris to their squad on Friday. With the likes of Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Andile Phehlukwayo already in the mix, the Proteas have a 'problem of plenty' in a formidable pace attack. While Rabada, Philander and Morne Morkel, who increased the selectors' headache by taking a five-wicket haul in his comeback game against Zimbabwe, are certainties, it would be interesting to see if the vastly experienced Steyn is able to force his way through. The 34-year-old pacer is returning to action after a shoulder surgery that kept him out of the team for more than a year.
Squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn.