SA vs IND: 2nd Test Preview – India seek a comeback against roaring Proteas

Having faced a crushing defeat in the first Test of the series by an innings and 32 runs, India will be desperate to make a comeback in the second and final game beginning from Wednesday, January 03 at Newlands, Cape Town.

In the opening Test, the Rohit Sharma-led side was outplayed in all the departments as they could only post totals of 245 and 131 in the two innings respectively while South Africa posted a massive score of 408 riding on a splendid hundred by Dean Elgar 185 (287).

With Temba Bavuma ruled out, the centurion of the first Test – Dean Elgar – will take the reins in his final Test appearance. Lungi Ngidi is set to replace Gerald Coetzee who is also struggling from injuries. South Africa will be hoping to put in another strong performance to secure another Test series win over India.

From India, KL Rahul (101, 4) and Virat Kohli (38, 76) were the standout performers in the two innings respectively while the bowling attack was heavily dependent on Jasprit Bumrah (4/69). Hence, the world’s number one Test side will desperately need other bowlers to step up to not let the opposition run away with the game and will also expect better contributions from their batters.

Notably, India have never won a Test in Cape Town in six attempts having lost four games and drawn two. On the previous tour, in 2021-22, they lost the series-decider game by seven wickets and once again failed to win a Test series in the rainbow nation.

Probable Playing XI

Pitch Report

In the last five matches played at Newlands, three have been won by teams batting first. The average first innings score has been 253 while the highest target chased in the fourth innings in the history of the venue is 334, by Australia in March 2002. The first is expected to be a green top like the first Test and the captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first to make the most of the good bowling conditions on offer