India vs South Africa 2019: 1st Test - India's Predicted Playing XI

After a draw in Twenty20 International series, India and South Africa will look to make a winning start to the three-match Test series. The first game starts from October 2 at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Virat Kohli & Co, who are currently at the top of the points table in the ICC World Test Championship, will start as the dominant force. India have been unbeatable at home in the last few years and they will look to their winning record intact. Besides, the home side will also have an eye to consolidate their top spot in the World Test Championship.

The playing XI will witness a range of changes from the last time when India played West Indies in the two-match series. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the Test series with an injury and KL Rahul out of the squad after poor returns, the team will have some fresh faces who will be keen to make a mark for themselves.

Here is the predicted playing XI of India for the first of the three-match Test series against South Africa  at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam:

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MAYANK AGARWAL

Since making his Test debut in Australia, Mayank Agarwal has looked at the top with consistent returns. He has shown the maturity and technique required to be successful in the opening slot in red-ball cricket.

The Karnataka batsman, who will be playing his first match in India against South Africa will look to get a good start. The management will also want Mayank to give his side a good start and set the tone for the batters to follow.

ROHIT SHARMA

After repeated failures from KL Rahul, Test doors have once again opened for Rohit Sharma. The Mumbai cricketer, who last played in the middle order against Australia, will look to cement his place in the top-order.

Meanwhile, the beginning has not been good for Rohit as he got out for a duck in the practice game between Board President XI and South Africa. All eyes will be on the swashbuckling opener when he gets out to bat in Visakhapatnam.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA

Cheteshwar Pujara had a forgettable tour of West Indies failing to put runs on the board. India had convincing wins against the Caribbeans but Pujara’s poor form with the bat was something to ponder.

The onus will be on the Saurashtra batsman to hit the strides and the lead the batting unit from the front. Pujara has been India’s highest scorer in this format for the last few years and he will aim to keep up the consistent run.

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VIRAT KOHLI

India skipper Virat Kohli got starts in the last tours against West Indies but failed to register a century in the two-match series. Kohli will be hungry to convert the starts and put big scores against the Proteas and help his side consolidate their top position in the ICC World Test Championship.

Moreover, Kohli will also be desperate to close in on Steve Smith, who has taken a massive lead in the ICC Rankings after a splendid Ashes series. The talismanic run-scorer will have to be at his very best to reclaim his top spot.

AJINKYA RAHANE

There has been a lot of speculations over Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the Test side. But the experienced batter silenced all his critics with consistent outings in the last series against West Indies.

Rahane shouldered the responsibility in the middle-order and led the batting unit as they lost a few early wickets. The Mumbai-born cricketer will have to keep up his form going as India will hope to make a good start to home Tests.

HANUMA VIHARI

India’s middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari is currently on cloud nine after successful outings in the two-match Test series against West Indies. He finished as the highest run-scorer against the Caribbeans with one century and two fifties.

Vihari, who will be playing his first Test at home will look to keep up the excellent form against South Africa and offer stability in the middle-order. The Andhra batsman has had a good preparation ahead of the series and will be keen to deliver the goods for his side.

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WRIDDHIMAN SAHA

Wriddhiman Saha will be returning to the Test after a long injury lay off. Incidentally, his last Tests was against South Africa when India toured in 2018. Saha had to sit out against West Indies with Rishabh Pant playing ahead of him.

But Pant’s consistent failures is likely to open the doors once again for the Bengal cricket. Saha will be keen to put the best feet forward and grab the opportunity with both hands and cement his place in the playing XI.

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

After missing out on the West Indies series, Ravichandran Ashwin will be keen to showcase his skills against South Africa. The off-spinner has been a force to reckon with in the red-ball cricket in Asian wickets and Ashwin will hope to live up to the expectations.

Besides, he is also a very handy cricketer with the bat in the lower-order which will help India in these kinds of wickets. Ashwin will have a point or two prove against the Proteas.

RAVINDRA JADEJA

Ravindra Jadeja has stepped up to the task whenever an opportunity has come his way. He is a utility cricketer who can contribute to all the departments and India will want Jadeja to be in his best form against South Africa.

Moreover, Jadeja’s partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin has been lethal in the Indian wickets and will hope to keep up their exploits in the matches to follow.

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ISHANT SHARMA

The tall and lanky fast bowler from Delhi, Ishant Sharma is getting better with every game. He was spectacular against West Indies shouldering responsibilities alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Ishant was among the wickets and will have to keep his form going considering that a number of bowlers are waiting in the wings.

Ishant has the tenacity required to attain success in Indian wickets and has been doing the job for almost a decade now.

MOHAMMED SHAMI

Mohammed Shami has time and again proved his abilities and becomes really handy in Indian wickets with the old ball. With his ability to reverse the cherry, Shami will be Virat Kohli’s go-to bowler when the ball loses its shine.

The Bengal cricketer has been among the wickets in recent times and will have to keep his excellent form going to retain his place in the playing XI.