A 1-1 drawn T20I series. A 2-1 ODI series win for India. Now the action moves to the most awaited format of this tour: the 2-match Test series.
The first Test between India and South Africa will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26, the Boxing Day. India are looking for their first-ever Test series win in South Africa. They lost the last two Test series in South Africa by a 2-1 scoreline, on the 2018 and 2021/22 tours.
In India’s last Test series, Rohit Sharma‘s men defeated the West Indies 1-0 in West Indies. This will be the first South African test in Test cricket for Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Prasidh Krishna, Shreyas Iyer. With Mohammed Shami getting ruled out of the series due to his ankle injury, Prasidh Krishna, known for his height with which he could generate extra bounce, could get the nod over R Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be the only spinner in India’s XI, unless the Centurion surface has surprising dryness on it.
This series could very likely be the last Test series in South Africa for skipper Rohit Sharma, who is 36 years old, while Virat Kohli is 35.
Shreyas Iyer is making his return to Test cricket. He’s likely to take Ajinkya Rahane’s spot at number 5.
Also, KL Rahul is set to make his comeback to the Test side, and will also keep wicket. With Ishan Kishan pulling out of the Test series due to personal reasons, KL Rahul, who was also mentioned as a wicket-keeper in the squad, will certainly play. Shubman Gill will have to fill the boots of Cheteshwar Pujara.
Shardul Thakur, who took 7 wickets in Johannesburg on the last tour of South Africa, is likely to get the nod over Ashwin.
India’s best playing XI for 1st Test vs South Africa:
- Rohit Sharma (C),
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Prasidh Krishna
India Test squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Mohd. Shami*, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad
