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Team India Ready For The South African Test

By Linus Garg
First publised on 2023-12-26 07:33:28

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.

The Rainbow Nation remains the Final Frontier for India. It has never won a Test series in South Africa which remains the only nation where it has not won. But as it starts the 2-Test series from today at the Centurian, India will be upbeat given it is now at full strength (although Md Shami and perhaps Rishabh Pant will be missed) and raring to go. The recent form of most of the players is impressive and the batting mainstay, Virat Kolhi, has always been majestic in South Africa. He has amassed 1,236 runs at an average of 56.18 in 14 Tests against the Proteas, including three centuries and four fifties in 24 innings, with 254 not out as his highest score. Team India will want him to continue his good run in that country and make a winning impact in the series.

Skipper Rohit Sharma has not got enough opportunities in red-ball cricket in South Africa. He has played just four Tests and has only 123 runs to his name, averaging just 15.37. But with his current form, Sharma will be looking to better his Test record there. K L Rahul has also struggled in South Africa, especially in the 2017-18 tour, but again his current form will perhaps allow him to set things right. He also affords the team a balance by keeping the wickets. Among the others, Yasashvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have not played Tests in South Africa and it will be a new experience for them. Things would be tricky for India if they fail. Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah has an outstanding record in South Africa. In just six Tests there, Bumrah has taken 26 wickets at an average of 24.38, with the best figures of 5 for 42. Ravindra Jadeja has played a single Test there way back in 2013 but made a huge impact by taking 6 wickets. R Ashwin, though, has not been very successful in South Africa with just 10 wickets in 6 Tests. Pacers Mukesh Kumar and Shardul Thakur have never played in South Africa.

The Proteas are also at full strength. Kasigo Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jensen have returned after missing the white ball series and so has skipper Temba Bavuma. The South African pacers, always a handful in home conditions, will test Indian batters and would like to ensure that Team India does not conquer the Final Frontier. 

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