The two-Test series between India and South Africa is starting on Tuesday (26 December). Team India has not been able to win even a single Test series in South Africa till now. The series is starting from the SuperSport Park in Centurion, where bounce and pace give the bowlers the advantage. India has played three Tests here and won one and lost two. However, the Test match played between the two countries here in 2021 was won by India. There is a possibility of heavy rain for the first two days of the Centurion Test. In such a situation, there will be a challenge for the team playing first here.
India's challenge in Centurion will depend on three main things. What kind of control does captain Rohit Sharma have over his pulls and hook shots? Secondly, whether Virat Kohli tampers with the balls going outside the off-stump or not, and thirdly, how the Indian team copes with the absence of Mohammed Shami. South Africa has fast bowlers like Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, and Lungi Ngidi. In such a situation, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who started his Test career against West Indies, will have a real test in front of these bowlers. Similarly, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer will also have to prove their usefulness here. Everyone knows Shreyas's weakness, especially on bouncy balls.
Rahul will handle the responsibility of wicketkeeping
KL Rahul will be given the responsibility of wicketkeeping in this test. A plan is being worked out to field an additional batsman, giving him preference over KS Bharat. Rahul has played the role of wicketkeeping well in the World Cup. He has agreed to wicket-keeping here too, but there is doubt whether he will be seen in this role on the Indian pitches against England. If so, then keeping the spinning balls of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep will be a challenge for them.
Prasidh's claim strengthened due to the speed
Coach Rahul Dravid has said that he will let Yashasvi and Gill play in their style, but they have also been told how to adapt themselves according to the conditions here. Dravid says that he hopes that the batsmen will make decisions according to the situation on the pitch. While in bowling, Mukesh Kumar is looking good in the nets, but Prasidh's extra pace can provide him opportunities to play.
South Africa relies on bowlers
South African captain Temba Bavuma has batsmen like Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony De Georgi, and Keegan Pietersen who are retiring after this series. These batsmen can create problems for the Indian bowlers in their conditions, but Bavuma will have the most hope from his fast bowlers.
Probably playing-11 of both teams
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony De Giorgi, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verrey, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
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