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match here and they will look to maintain the track record when they take on underconfident South Africa on Tuesday in the second Test of the ongoing 3-match series.
After a 113-run victory in Centurion, Kohli & Co are one win away from scripting history. They have never won a Test series in the Rainbow Nation and if they win the upcoming contest, they will break the South African jinx with their heads held high.
India showcased a decent performance in the first Test. Vice-captain Rahul Agarwal and Mayank Agarwal were the picks of the batters. While the former scored a hundred in the first innings, his opening partner also smashed a half-century.
IND vs SA, 2nd Test, Day 1 Live Scorecard and Updates
The bowling unit was phenomenal as well. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami wreaked havoc in the Centurion to help India breach the South African fortress while Mohammed Siraj assisted the senior duo pretty well. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who didn’t get a wicket in the first innings, chipped in towards the end of the game and scalped a couple.
Despite a promising victory at the SuperSport Park, the wobbling middle-order still remains a concern. Cheteshwar Pujara had a terrible outing in the first Test while Ajinkya Rahane too failed to leave an impact. The Indian tail collapsed in both innings, giving a slight edge to the opponents in the first Test.
This is the only area that needs to be addressed properly. With Rahul Dravid being the head coach, a proper solution would be expected before the visitors march into the second Test, aiming at clinching the series.
South Africa, on the other hand, has got the bowling attack to challenge India but their batters need to stand up against the tourists’ bowling line-up. The hosts’ batting order has been made more vulnerable after Quinton de Kock’s surprising retirement from Test cricket.
Kyle Verreynne is expected to take De Kock’s spot as a wicketkeeper-batter but South Africa will think hard on adding a specialist batter to replace all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. The only point of debate would be if both India and South Africa will leave out their respective spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Keshav Maharaj, in order to field an all-pace attack.
The Proteas have to gather themselves from conceding the series a week before the final match in Cape Town becomes a dead rubber.
Squads:
India: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jayant Yadav, Hanuma Vihari , Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Prenelan Subrayen, Beuran Hendricks, Duanne Olivier, Sisanda Magala, George Linde, Sarel Erwee, Ryan Rickelton, Glenton Stuurman.
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