(Info4now, December 24, 2021)- Champion Virat Kohli’s eye must be on South Africa this time as they move to the IND vs SA 1st Test starting on Boxing Day. Twice in Australia and this year in England they just outplayed the oppositions. With stable opening, strong lower middle order and sublime pace in the bag, they are just dominating overseas conditions.
On the other hand, South Africa are a bit unsettled, for the lack of experience in the squad. Besides, Anrich Nortje misses out on the squad just before the start of this high voltage bilateral series. Unlike the 2017-18 series, they have no AB de Villiers, Hasim Amla and Faf du Plessis. Dean Elgar at the top of the order, has to carry out a mammoth task in the batting department taking off the pressure of captaincy.
Preview: IND vs SA 1st Test, India tour of South Africa 2021-22
For India, the opening is very settled as the absence of Rohit will be well compensated by in-form Mayank Agarwal. Both K.L Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have the experience of playing in the overseas conditions. So the recent success on home soil might be kept aside. Over the years, what India did well is the production of necessary backups. It’s a proven fact for Indian cricket. Both in England and in Australia, India made so many changes owing to unavailability. Things never changed as they covered it up well.
Cheteshwar Pujara will come up at No. 3. Though going through a lean patch, the camp should believe in him at least for the first contest. Virat Kohli still to find his rhythm. Hanuma Vihari must be the premier choice at No. 5. Shreyas Iyer might have to wait for a break in South Africa. Alhough Rishabh Pant is the regular one as a wicket keeper batsman, he is not a regular test scoring player.
Ravichandran Ashwin will be the only spinner for Team India and is capable enough to play the role of an all-rounder. Shardul Thakur will be the fourth pacer. He is not a busy player and fresh in legs. Md Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will try to exploit the inexperience in the South Africa side. Md. Siraj will probably replace Ishant Sharma.
Duanne Olivier to replace injured Anrich Nortje
Aiden Markram and Captain Elgar to open the innings for South Africa. Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock are the experienced duo in the batting order. So how these two perform will be the key for South Africa. Rassie van der Dussen is technically sound and has to carry out a great responsibility in the middle. Wiaan Mulder is to balance the side with something from his bat and his right-arm medium fast bowling.
Kagiso Rabada is an experienced campaigner in the camp with the new ball. In the absence of Anrich Nortje, he should be more disciplined and must carry good understanding with Lungi Ngidi. The superfast Duanne Olivier is in the air as a replacement for Nortje. With his pace and bounce he must be all over Indian middle order. Keshav Maharaj needs no introduction. A left arm orthodox will be very handy against a right-hand side India.
To Conclude
It’s a pace-friendly wicket at SuperSport Park and it’s a good decision to bat first. Ball comes to bat very nicely and therefore there’s something to cherish on the batsmen’s part. Having the excellent bowling combinations, the middle order inconsistencies are the problems for both the teams in the contest of IND vs SA 1st Test.
My Playing XXII: IND vs SA 1st Test
India: K.L.Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Md Shami, Md. Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Wianne Mulder, Keshav maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and Lungi Ngidi.