India vs South Africa 2019: 1st Test - BCCI Reveals Playing XI For The First Test, Two Spinners Included

Team India have returned to two spinners strategy for the upcoming Test against South Africa in Visakhapatnam starting from October 2 (Wednesday). The host will look to inflict a whitewash over the Proteas at home to strengthen their top spot in the ICC World Test Championship.

Notably, the management has brought back veteran wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha in place of Rishabh Pant for the upcoming Test match. Thus, Saha returns to the scheme of things almost after 18 months. Speaking the pre-match press conference, Virat Kohli said that the Bengal wicket-keeper is the best in the world and they have always backed a pure gloveman in the Tests.

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“His [Saha’s] keeping credentials are there for everyone to see. He’s played well for us whenever he’s got a chance with the bat for us also. It was unfortunate that he was out for such a long period with an injury, and according to me he’s the best keeper in the world. In these conditions, and with what he’s done for us in the past, he’ll start for us,” Kohli said.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma will partner Mayank Agarwal as the opener for the first Test of the series. The selectors dropped KL Rahul owing to poor performances which opened the doors for Rohit. The Mumbai-born cricketer will look to continue his exploits in red-ball cricket and cement his spot at the top-order.

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Skipper Virat Kohli also spoke about giving Rohit the time and space to get into his groove in the top-order. India shift to their two spinner strategy with Ravichandran Ashwin coming back into the mix alongside Ravindra Jadeja after sitting out in West Indies. No 6 batsman, Hanuma Vihari will don the hat of the third spinner. Otherwise, the team remains the same with Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma completing the bowling unit.

The first of the three-match Test series starts from October 2  at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

Team India for the first Test against South Africa:

Virat Kohli (Capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami

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