Team India is putting all in during the practice sessions ahead of the first test that begins on January 5. It’s not tough to guess that the South African conditions would put team India under immense pressure and the lethal pace attack of the Proteas will set the Indian batsmen ducking and hopping.
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India’s troubles began well ahead of the first test itself as Shikhar Dhawan got ruled out owing to an injury. Clearly, the onus of giving India stability at the top of the order would rest with Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul.
The middle order is the backbone of team India. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara very well know the art of bringing out the best in them under immense pressure. Both of them wouldn’t go down without fighting and the team would want Virat Kohli to lead from front like he has all through the previous year.
India would probably play an extra batsmen rather than playing two spinners. This means that Rohit Sharma might find a place in the playing eleven and among Ashwin and Jadeja only one would make it to the playing eleven.
Ajinkya Rahane and Saha would take care of the lower middle order along with Rohit Sharma if India decides to play an extra batsman given how lethal the South African pace attack is.
Bumrah might get his maiden test cap in the first test itself or maybe Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami would get to share the new ball with Ishant Sharma.
Here’s the predicted XI
Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami
