IND vs SA: Centurion Pitch Details Revealed For India vs South Africa 1st Test 

India and South Africa are all set to lock horns with each other in a two-match Test series. The first match, which will also be a Boxing Day game will be played on 26th December at the Supersport Park in Centurion. 

With the first game between India and South Africa just two days away, it is learned that the pitch for the first Test will favor seamers. Curator Bryan Bloy opened up about the surface of the first game to RevSportz and revealed about the development. 

Bryan Bloy said that the weather for the first two days isn’t looking great and therefore pitch will have a good bounce in it, which will help pacers. He also added that spinners will also get assistance from the surface as there will be a turn. He added: 

“The forecast for the first two days isn’t looking that great. The pitch will help the pacers and there will be good bounce. The spinners will also get a turn and help.” 

Centurion curator Bryan Bloy ahead of Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa: "The forecast for the first two days isn't looking that great. The pitch will help the pacers and there will be good bounce. The spinners will also get a turn and help."#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/8G1sJOgWBe

— RevSportz (@RevSportz) December 23, 2023

Pitch assisting seamers will be good and bad news both for the India team. Batters over the years have struggled to get going in the South African conditions and with the surface with seamer seamer-friendly, it’s likely to cause problems for batters. 

Indian bowlers on the other hand will enjoy the surface more. Since the last years, pacers have been nothing short of exceptional in overseas conditions. They have troubled the opposition in their own backyard and this time around same is expected. 

India are yet to win the Test series in South Africa and this time it will be a huge opportunity for them to change their fortunes. The combination of youth and experience in the team can help Rohit Sharma-led side achieve wonders this time around. 

The Indian Cricket Team have a great record in the Boxing Day Tests. They have won their last three games, two in Australia and one in South Africa. Skipper Rohit Sharma would be hoping to register their fourth win on the trot and take an early lead in the series. 

IND vs SA: India predicted XI for the first Test against South Africa 

India will be without the services of Mohammed Shami in the series. The fast bowler recently was ruled out of the two-match series due to ankle issues. Apart from him, keeper Ishan Kishan made himself unavailable, citing mental fatigue. 

With Shami not being there, it is expected that India might hand the debut cap to Prasidh Krishna. The pacer picked a five-wicket haul in the A game. His pace and ability to skid the ball could be handy for the team. In the absence of Kishan, there’s no doubt that KL Rahul will be taking the keeping role. 

Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill are likely to be the top three. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Rahul are likely to be the core in the middle order. The Rohit Sharma-led again might have to sit out Ravichandran Ashwin and play Ravindra Jadeja over him with Shardul Thakur being the pace bowling all-rounder. 

Here’s the Indian predicted XI for the first Test against South Africa: 

Rohit Sharma (C)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (wk)
Ravindra Jadeja
Shardul Thakur
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna