(Info4now, January 10, 2022)- India breached Fortress Centurion in the first Test as they emerged to be the first ever Asian team to beat the host at SuperSport Park. India were hopeful enough to win the second Test at Wanderers being unbeaten so far on this particular venue. If it was to break the routine on the part of Team India, South Africa did exactly the same in the following one. South Africa were never successful in Johannesburg to beat India, but Elgar turned it down with elegance. As IND vs SA 3rd Test is in the discussion, it’s going to be a fifty-fifty contest mathematically.
Is it a fifty-fifty contest? No. The result shows enough evidence to call it a terrific contest of a game of cricket. But if statistics and data science speak well of a preview of a game, in cricket it’s always by cricket. In both the departments of batting and bowling, India are well ahead of the opposition. Again, if there is cricket only to assess the match condition, there is something like execution. Besides being a game of skill, it’s also a game of a moment, a game of a single session. So we can expect a good game of cricket tomorrow.
Preview: IND vs SA 3rd Test, India tour of South Africa 2021-22
K.L.Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have been the key fighters for Team India so far. They are superb at the start. India must be hoping to get them fit and flexible again against the primary movement of the ball. Virat Kohli will be back at No. 4 and it’s a tough call for Team India. I think this is the time to decide. It’s very tough to exclude both Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, and bring Shreyas Iyer and keep Hanuma Vihari in the playing XI. So India might go with Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari for IND vs SA 3rd Test at Newlands. Rishabh Pant is almost out of his rhythm, but will make the side, being capable of changing the game very quickly.
Both Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin can bat. And with their arms they are just excellent in the series. If Newlands offers a better surface for a slower, Ashwin might be in action. Umesh Yadav will probably replace Md. Siraj.
For South Africa, it’s how Aiden Markram gets back to his best. He is an experienced campaigner for South Africa. At the start, he has to spend a little more time on the wicket. Two top class young and less experienced players Rassie Van der Dussen and Keegan Petersen showed excellent resistance in the last game. It’s their time to gain approval in the squad and effect a smooth transition for the team. Temba Bavuma is much more patient and one who is much more dependable.
Keshav Maharaj may get some help off the turf this time. Two fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada just got to the rhythm. Duanne Olivier is bowling at a low speed and, I think, this is a problem for South Africa. Marco Jansen is angling the line well with comparatively full deliveries and in the process, testing the batsmen.
To Conclude
Virat Kohli back to the side, India must be relaxed as a group. As India have a tough group of seam attack, the wicket of the final match might be more balanced. If the last two games showcased the dominance of bowling, the contest of IND vs SA 3rd Test may surprise you with a bit of batting assistance.
My Playing XXII: IND vs SA 2nd Test
India: K.L.Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Md Shami, Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.