India Tour of South Africa

 First Test: SA vs. IND

Preview

Well, one the biggest series from India’s point of view is starting soon and the team will be looking for nothing but a win. Interestingly, the Indian team has been poor in the first match of every series and they would look to change that in this tour. When it comes to South Africa, it will be one of the toughest and most important series for them. The Proteas have suffered a lot in recent times and this series is where they can show the world that the team can still do it and win big and important matches.

Virat Kohli, India’s red ball captain has also a lot to prove with the bat after he was involved in a huge controversy with the Indian board. The former white ball captain hasn’t scored any century in more than two years and thus the legend is in tremendous pressure. Just like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. A lot of questions were raised on their form and this could very well be their last series if they fail to perform. There will be a lot of eyes on KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been ruled out of the series. The bowling line up will be crucial for the series. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin will be responsible for taking the crucial wickets and it will be intriguing to see the starting line-up of the team. Hanuma Vihari’s inclusion in the starting XI will be great for the team but with that, Ajinkya Rahane may lose his place. The competition will be really tough and team India is in a great place going into the series.

When it comes to South Africa, the team heavily depends on their bowlers. They do have decent batters who can turn things around but it’s the bowlers who win them matches. Dean Elger is very new in the test captaincy world and it will be interesting to see how he does against the likes of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and so on and so forth. Anrich Nortje’s injury is a huge blow for the Proteas. It is like Bumrah being injured before a high voltage series. Nevertheless, the team has the capability to take all 20 wickets. Especially, in a ground where team India has never won a test match. Kagiso Rabada will be leading their bowling attack with Lungi Ngidi and Duanne Olivier as the other two pacers.

Match Details

Match: SA vs. IND, 1st Test

Date: Sunday-Thursday, December 26-30, 2021 

Time: 1:30 pm

Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Pitch Report

Bowling first will be ideal on Centurion as batting will become relatively easy after the first two days. Rain can play a part in the first couple of days as well. Bowlers might find it difficult to find the rhythm if there's a lot of breaks because of the rain but the wind and the cloud may as well help them.

SA vs IND Probable XIs

SA:  Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi.

IND: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Match Prediction

It will be tough for the Indians as many of their first team players are not there and on top of that, they have never won a series in South Africa. Well, it’s tough and not impossible. The Proteas are a very good team and they will pose a difficult challenge for the Indians but expect them to come on top. For India to win, their batters need to show some gut and need to bat a bit longer.

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