India vs South Africa 2019: 1st Test, Visakhapatnam – Match Preview, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, Predicted XI & Match Prediction

India vs South Africa 2019: 1st Test, Visakhapatnam – Match Preview, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, Predicted XI & Match Prediction; Amidst tension over the weather, the Indian National Cricket Team and Young-look South Africa Team are preparing for the first Test of the series. South Africa has got a point to prove while Indians would like to continue their dominance in the longer version of the game.

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For Proteas, top-order and the left-hander, Quinton de Kock will hold the key as he enjoys a good record against India. The South Africa skipper has the best batting average in India and also has the best technique to counter the attack of the Indian team bowlers.

Aiden Markram in top form for South Africa:

The Proteas must be on cloud nine after the stupendous triumph in Bangalore but facing India in the purest format is a different challenge. Donning the whites, India ride high on confidence after whitewashing West Indies away from home. India returned with a bunch of positives, with Hanuma Vihari being the most prominent one.

Aiden Markram has two centuries in three matches in India now and goes into the first Test with plenty of runs under his belt. Markram scored 100 off 118 balls against Board President’s XI. Just the previous week, he had scored 161 for South Africa A against India A in Mysore.

On the other hand, India have been hit by a major injury blow leading into the opening fixture as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out for the entire series citing a stress fracture in the lower back and will be replaced by Umesh Yadav.

Courtesy KL Rahul’s frequent archetypal squibs, Rohit Sharma has been asked to take the opener role for the Test series and would be desperate to grab the opportunity and cement his position at the opening slot.

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As far as the bowling department is concerned, South Africa has got Kagiso Rabada, who can rattle any kind of batting line-up on his day. Meanwhile, India will rely on their formidable attack.

Date and Venue: October 2nd, 2019, YSR Stadium, Visakhapatnam

Time – 09: 30 AM IST

Pitch Report:

Mostly, the pitch would offer great assistance for the batsmen on Day 1. The top-order batsman would enjoy driving the ball through the line. However, fast bowlers will get their assistance upfront while spinner will come into the game during the later part of the game.

Weather Forecast:

Rain is on the cards. Daytime temperatures are expected to be around 31°c and could plunge to around 26°c at night, with the humidity expected to be around 78%.

Predicted Playing XI:

India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agrawal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain). Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami.

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain). Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Match Prediction:

The Indian National Cricket Team led by Virat Kohli is going to start as favorites in the game. However, South Africa has got young legs that can kick the opposition out on their day. All in all, a tough competition is on the cards with a weighing balance on the Indian side.

Head-to-head stats

Matches: 36

India Won: 15

South Africa Won: 11

NR: 10