India vs South Afric Cricket 1st Test:: The three-match Test series kicks off with the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
India vs South Afric Cricket 1st Test: Hoping to win the series for the first time against South Africa, the Virat Kohli-led Indian unit has a few things to address as they lock horns with the hosts in the first Test of the three - Match Series on Sunday. Rahul Dravid will be scratching his head over the combination, especially when he has an in-form but untrained Shreyas Iyer waiting in line. The Indian camp will also think of giving a long rope to Ajinkya Rahane under fire. The three-match Test series began with the Boxing Day Test at Centurion's SuperSport Park.
India are progressing in Tests after a 1-0 home series win over New Zealand. South Africa, on the other hand, have already suffered a major setback in the form of Enrique Nortje, who has been ruled out due to frequent hip injuries. The South African batting lineup comprising Dean Elgar, his deputy Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock will be put to the test against a bowling attack that has been termed as one of the best in the country's cricket history.
In this piece we take a look at India's probable XI for the first Test against South Africa:
Mayank Agarwal: In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal is likely to open the innings. The 30-year-old Karnataka batsman scored 150 and 62 runs in both the innings against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, which is a testament to his batting. Showing an excellent batting record in away conditions, Mayank has amassed 455 runs in nine innings, and a return to the scheme of things could perhaps help the right-handed batsman score his maiden overseas century.
KL Rahul: He has been asked to fill Rohit Sharma's position and the new Test vice-captain of the Indian team would like to continue his good run with the bat. Rahul was in excellent form in England, scoring 315 runs in four matches. He was not part of the New Zealand Test due to a muscle strain. Since making his Test debut in 2014, Rahul has played 40 matches so far and scored 2321 runs at an average of 35.16 with six centuries and 12 half-centuries.
Cheteshwar Pujara: India's Test specialist may be given the long rope because of the away position. Pujara has played more than 40 Test innings without a century and a half-century but the team needs a player who has played in South Africa before. The old-fashioned classic batsman had scored 153 runs in Johannesburg in December 2013.
Virat Kohli: Currently ranked third on the list of all-time century scorers in international cricket after Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli is waiting to score his 71st century. Taking away the lead with the white ball might help Kohli gain the magic touch to clinch the three-figure score after more than two years. The 33-year-old has been impressive on the South African field, scoring 558 runs in five innings with a highest score of 153.
Ajinkya Rahane: The former Test vice-captain has been going through a rough patch for some time now, but his overseas batting record is something else. The 33-year-old Rahane averages over 40, with eight of his 12 Test tons coming from outside the country. Head coach Rahul Dravid has also said that the senior batsman is in a good place, indicating Rahane to win the fight against Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari.
Rishabh Pant: Down the order, Rishabh Pant can always create a little bit of magic with his unconventional approach regardless of the format. In Nortje's absence, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will look after the bowling unit and one can expect Pant to come up with some reverse-scoop maximums.
Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin is sure to be the lone spinner of the unit. The 35-year-old off-spinner has 427 Test wickets to his name in 81 matches, including 30 wickets and seven 10 wickets. He also has a chance to surpass Kapil Dev's tally of 434 Test wickets. Centurion has taken just two four-wicket hauls since 2016, with Ashwin being a player. In Ravindra Jadeja's absence, Ashwin can be useful with the bat as well.
Shardul Thakur: India are likely to stick to a five-bowler combination in South Africa, making Shardul the fifth bowler in the setup. He can also do well with the bat by scoring half-centuries against England in both the innings. Playing four specialist fast bowlers can make the Indian team weak but Shardul's presence helps the team look balanced.
Jasprit Bumrah: After being rested from the two-Test series against New Zealand, Jasprit Bumrah is once again ready to lead the Indian pace attack. It was in 2018 when Bumrah made his Test debut in South Africa. Regarded as one of the finest bowlers till date with the cut and 101 test plucks to his name in international cricket. Significantly, 97 of these wickets have come out of the house.
Mohammed Shami: Jasprit Bumrah will be accompanied by the experienced Mohammed Shami, who is just five wickets away from 200 Test wickets. He will join the elite list of Indian fast bowlers including Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Javagal Srinath. Shami also has the second best bowling strike rate in Tests in South Africa.
Mohamed Siraj: South Africa's pitches aided by hit-the-deck pacers would approve Mohammad Siraj, especially when Ishant Sharma is battling injuries. Since making his MCG debut against Australia, Siraj has scalped 33 wickets in 10 Test matches with a five-wicket haul.
IND Predicted XI vs SA, 1st Test: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
India Team vs South Africa: Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul (VC), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Jayant Yadav, Priyank Panchal, Umesh Yadav, Hanuma Vihari, Ishant Sharma