SA vs IND: 1st Test Preview – Virat Kohli and co gear up for Protea challenge

India and South Africa are all set to lock horns with each other for the first Test match on Sunday, December 26. The three-match Test series kick starts with a Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The hosts will commence their World Test Championship cycle when they face the Virat Kohli-led side in the home series.

Dean Elgar will captain the side with Temba Bavuma appointed as the vice-captain of the Proteas. The team will have a big task in hand to outplay the in-form Indian side. They will aim to make the most of the home conditions to take command of the match.

India on the other hand has had an impressive outing in their overseas tour in recent years. They defeated Australia at their home twice and then also took a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series against England before it was interrupted after the Covid outbreak in the Indian camp.

India are yet to win a Test series in South Africa yet and considering their recent performances they will be all raring to turn the tables this time around. With a formidable side, the team will have their spirits high to dominate the proceedings and register their first series win in the nation.

Team News

South Africa:

Ahead of the series, the Proteas had to deal with a big blow. Their prime pacer Anrich Nortje has been ruled out owing to a persistent hip injury.

Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Keegan Petersen, Quinton de Kock (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Keshav Maharaj.

India:

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, KL Rahul has been appointed as Virat Kohli’s deputy. With Ravindra Jadeja also missing the series, Ravichandran Ashwin will have a lot of responsibilities on his shoulder.

Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

Match Details

Match – South Africa vs India

Venue – SuperSport Park, Centurion

Time – 1:30 PM IST