India and South Africa will clash in the first Test at Centurion on December 26 and this represents a great chance for Virat Kohli’s side to win a series for the first time.
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The Indian cricket team will begin their quest for ‘Mission Domination’ when they take on South Africa at Centurion. In 29 years of touring South Africa, the Indian team has never won a Test series. Their best result was a 1-1 draw in the 2010 series under MS Dhoni. Although India has won three Tests in South Africa, they are yet to win a series in that country. In the last 21 years, India has won series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, West Indies, England, Australia, and New Zealand but never in South Africa.
The task, though, will be hard for India. Centurion, the venue for the first Test, is South Africa’s fortress. They have lost only once in the last decade and that was to a rampant Australia team that had Mitchell Johnson in top form. In the last encounter in Centurion in 2010, Sachin Tendulkar scored his final Test century which was No.51. But, India lost the match by an innings margin.
Ahead of the Centurion Test in 2021, India holds all the aces. Their bowling line-up is one of the best in the business with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Ishant Sharma in top form. Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best spinners in the world. On the other hand, South Africa is also plagued with injuries, with their gun bowler ruled out due to a hip injury
The selections seem straightforward. But, the absence of Rohit Sharma might hurt the top order in a big way. Rohit’s big-game and condition experience could have been the difference-maker. But, India might correct that with the inclusion of KL Rahul. Virat Kohli will be aiming to break the rut but it is the last chance for the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. If India is uncertain about Rahane, they could pick Hanuma Vihari who was in top form in the A tour. Rishabh Pant will be aiming to cement his credentials as one of the best keepers for India. The bowling unit selects itself, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami confirmed as pacers. R Ashwin will be the sole spinner. But, there is an option to play either Shardul Thakur or Umesh Yadav.
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KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane/Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur/Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
The South Africa cricket team has not recovered from so many retirements in the last couple of years. With no Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, or JP Duminy, the batting order is frail. All hopes are rested on Dean Elgar, Rassie van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock. But, with Ashwin in great form, Elgar and De Kock might not find it easy. On the bowling front, losing Anrich Nortje is a big blow. Kagiso Rabada, the team’s spearhead will now have to shoulder a massive burden. The return of Duanne Olivier, who had left South Africa on a Kolpak deal, might boost their chances.
Dean Elgar (captain), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreyne, Quinton de Kock (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi
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