India vs South Africa 2018: 4 Indian players who played in 2013 tour to South Africa but not in 2018

In just under 48 hours time, India will begin their much-anticipated tour to South Africa, with the first Test of the series, starting in Cape Town.

A lot of players in the present touring party were part of the squad that played in 2013, but four of them from then don't feature now.

We look at those four players here:

4.Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha was part of the touring party last time

Pragyan Ojha proved to be a considerable ally for R Ashwin in the initial part of India's home season in 2012 after their debacle in Australia at the start of that year.

However, from the time Ravindra Jadeja made his Test debut in late 2012, Ojha's chances of featuring in the Indian setup began to decline.

He was picked for the Test tour to South Africa as one of the three spinners but did not feature in either of the two Tests, in Johannesburg or Durban.

3.Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu was in the squad for the 2013 tour to South Africa.

After his initial years of struggle, many finally felt that Ambati Rayudu had finally found his moment in Indian cricket when he was picked for the tour to South Africa.

The spot, up for grabs, was Number 6 where India tried out Ajinkya Rahane, who did a commendable job in the first Test at Johannesburg and was retained for the second game in Durban, where he eventually made 96 to seal his spot.

Post that, the right-hander has mostly been considered for the limited-overs format of the game and with an Indian batting line-up, as settled as the one now, it looks difficult for him to claw his way back into the Test setup once again.

2.Zaheer Khan

Zaheer made a comeback on the tour to South Africa in 2012.

Arguably the best fast bowler India ever produced, Zaheer Khan had a veritable comeback during India's tour to South Africa in 2013 after a year's layoff from the game.

The 39-year-old looked impressive in the first innings of the Johannesburg Test, but lacked the bite in the second essay, en route to claiming his 300th Test wicket, that of Jacques Kallis.

He played a crucial role in both of India's Test triumphs in the Rainbow Nation in 2006 and 2010 and he will hope that the current crop of bowlers will be able to go the distance and help India win their maiden series in South Africa.

1.Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni was India's captain in their last trip to South Africa

He is the most notable absentee from the squad that travelled in 2013 to the one going now.

MS Dhoni was still India's captain across all three formats at the time and had the task of leading a young side to success in the rainbow nation.

India came close in the first Test at Johannesburg and then lost the second Test at Durban, owing to a poor batting performance in the second innings to lose the series 1-0.

Who knew then that it was to be the last time, fans would get to see Dhoni in action in the whites for India on South African territory.