India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Visakhapatnam: preview, prediction, likely XIs

India vs South Africa, 1st Test, Visakhapatnam: preview, prediction, likely XIs

Rohit Sharma India

India and South Africa will renew what has over the years been a riveting rivalry, when they take each other on in the first Test in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, October 2. The last time South Africa visited these shores, in 2015, turning tracks so vicious were laid out, both teams struggled with the bat. There were low scores matches, with India the four-match series 3-0.

This time, that isn’t expected to be the case. India are a formidable force in Test cricket – they lead the rankings – and have a bowling attack strong and varied for any pitch and conditions. The trickier thing for India to deal with is the batting. There is uncertainty at the top of the order, and Rohit Sharma is being considered to open the innings for the first time.

Now, Rohit’s potential in Tests is always spoken of highly, but over his 27 matches, his standards in limited-overs cricket hasn’t been replicated. He’s found it hard against the red ball, especially when there’s a bit of movement, and the impression, increasingly, seems like this is a bit of make-or-break series for Rohit, given his age and his time in the side.

His return in the warm-up match wouldn’t have improved his confidence – he scored a two-ball duck – but with Rohit, you can never say. He has been fine at home over the years, it’s overseas where his Test form has struggled. He does, with that in mind, have a big opportunity to cement a place in this side for himself now.

South Africa, meanwhile, are going through a transition of their own. The likes of Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn have retired since their last Test, captain Faf du Plessis is on his last legs too, and the side will have the feel-good factor of a new era, here. Their pace bowling remains as strong as ever – Kagiso Rabada is leading them, with the experience of Vernon Philander and the promise of Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje for support – and it’s the batting where they will be scrutinised. Replacing the experience of Amla at the top won’t be easy.

All in all, this should be a riveting series. Buckle up.

Head to head

There have been 36 Tests played between these sides since 1992. India have the poorer record, losing 15 of those matches. However, they have a better return at home, with eight wins in 16 matches and three draws. They are the leading Tests side now, and the expectation on them is to better the home record.

Key players

Rohit Sharma (India): With all the scrutiny on his position leading up to the match, it’ll be interesting to see how Rohit Sharma plays. This is his chance to have a final go at Test cricket, after years of frustrations, and whether he can grind his way through his troubles should make for interesting view. The South Africa pacemen will try everything to capitalise on any pressure, make no mistake.

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): With Dale Steyn having retired, Rabada remains the one big, fear-inducing pace bowler in the South African set up. The mantle has been well and truly passed on, and it’ll be interesting to see how the paceman, still only 24, will lead the attack. He will be up against it, with the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli always reliably formidable.

Likely XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), G Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander

Prediction

India will be made to fight, but they’re supreme at home, and will come away with victory.