After playing dominating cricket at home, Team India is all geared up for the actual ‘test’. The South Africa tour is just a beginning for the Virat Kohli and his men for what it is coming to them in this year. Especially, after winning 9 consecutive Test series in past 2 years.
However, the cricket pundits reckon that the Kohli led team can’t achieve greatness without registering wins on the overseas tours. Team India has excelled in the Caribbean and in Sri Lanka. However, the opposition is much tougher, especially on their home turf. The tour commences from January 5 with both sides locking horns at Cape Town in the first Test.
In recent times, Kohli also suffered a good problem to have that is the problem of plenty and it still continue of the SA tour as well, as the team combination in the first Test will set the tone for the whole series.
With the regular opener, Shikhar Dhawan was reportedly ruled out of the first Test following an injury concern, it is pretty evident that KL Rahul will open teh inning with Murali Vijay with Vijay being the automatic choice given his overseas experience and recent form.
The Indian middle-order will surely start with Cheteshwar Pujara accompanied by skipper and his deputy, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Despite the fact that, Rahne has been pretty unsuccessful in recent times, he will be picked as he has been one of India’s top performers in overseas conditions.
The real problem for Mr. Kohli starts from here as the no.6 position has been up for grabs for many with Rohit Sharma playing exceptionally well against Sri Lanka, the captain might opt to with Hardik Pandya, who can be handy with both ball and bat. He had also hit his maiden Test century on Sri Lanka tour last year.
Wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha is also the automatic choice as Parthiv Patel has gone on the tour only as a reserve keeper. With Ravindra Jadeja down with Viral, Ravichandran Ashwin seems to be the only spinner in the playing XI, who also has a decent batting record on overseas conditions.
However, the choice of the pacer will also be crucial with four top quality pacers in Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammad Shami have every chance to play the game. Considering the first game, Shami and Bhuvi can become the first choice bowlers with the new ball, who will be accompanied by Ishant who has immense experience of the overseas conditions and has been in his prime form lately as well.
India Probable XI for the First Test: Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma/Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, M Shami and Ishant Sharma
