South Africa v India, 2nd Test: India's Predicted XI

After an intense battle between bat and ball in the opening Test between India and South Africa, we are all set for another few days of intense action as both teams gear up for the 2^nd Test starting tomorrow at the Supersport Park in Centurion. The visitors in all likelihood would go for a few changes especially in the batting department after a lackluster performance in the opening Test.

They might be tempted to play an extra batsman especially after a poor display of batting in the opening Test. Had it not been for a superb counter-attacking 93 by Hardik Pandya in the opening encounter, India would have lost the match way too early. The absence of Ajinkya Rahane in the opening Test did hurt India and the team management in all likelihood would be selecting him for the 2^nd Test which also happens to a must-win encounter for India if they harbor hopes of winning their first Test series in the Rainbow nation.

So with more than 24 hours to go for the 2^nd encounter to commence let us have a look at the Predicted XI of Team India

KL Rahul

The team management would be tempted to replace Shikhar Dhawan with a more technically sound batsman in the form of KL Rahul especially after the southpaw had considerable trouble in coping with the pace and bounce at the Newlands in Cape Town. Rahul had a sensational 2017 where he ended up smashing seven consecutive half-centuries. However, he failed to convert his sizeable starts into big one which might be the reason why India went with Dhawan in the opening Test.

Murali Vijay

Vijay is the on most occasions the first choice opener in the team especially in lively bowling friendly conditions and his previous performances in the Rainbow Nation would speak volume of his temperament and skill in severe conditions. Vijay is a naturally gifted stroke maker, and if he gets going in the 2^nd Test, then Faf du Plessis and co might be in for a tough time.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Ever since the retirement of Rahul Dravid, Pujara has successfully gone on to replace him at the highest level with some style and perseverance. Pujara has arguably been the most accomplished Test batsman in the team ahead of skipper Virat Kohli and has the ability t grind for long hours which might be crucial if India have any chances of making a comeback in the three-match series,

Virat Kohli

The skipper looked in good touch for his brief 28 in the 2^nd innings of the 1^st Test. However, it was Vernon Philander who set him up perfectly by bowling four outswingers and followed it up with a brilliant inswinger. Before getting dismissed he struck some exciting shots and following his dismissal, it was always going to be an uphill task for the visitors. The skipper would hope for a repeat of the home season where he and his team managed to make comebacks even after going 1-0 down.

Ajinkya Rahane

It was a shocking move to drop Rahane from the team by current form. He has been a sensational performer for India especially in overseas Tests, and his return might also change the fortune of the visitors. Even in his previous tour, he looked in brisk touch. In the past, Rahane had proved that he is tailor made for bouncy pitches and hence it took me out of place when I didn’t see his name on the team list for the opening Test.

Rohit Sharma

In all likelihood, Rohit Sharma is expected to retain his place in the playing especially after a mediocre batting performance by the Indians in the opening Test. He failed to cope with the pace and bounce which caught him napping. He struck a few exquisite drives but ended up falling cheaply on both occasions.

Hardik Pandya

The all-rounder was the sole bright spot for the visitors as far as batting was concerned in the opening Test. It was due to his counter-attacking knockoff 93 of 95 deliveries that India managed to post a competitive 209 on the board after being reduced to 92/7. He also bagged a wicket in the 1^st essay and backed it up with a couple more in the 2^nd innings.

Wriddhiman Saha

Ever since the retirement of a certain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Saha has been the 1^st choice keeper ever since. During the opening encounter, Saha secured the Indian record for most catches in a Test with 10. As a batsman, he found it difficult to cope with the lively conditions and was dismissed cheaply in both the innings.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Swing King was at his lethal best during the initial stages of the opening Test. Courtesy an impressive piece of swing bowling; the hosts were reduced to 12/3 on the first day itself. He went for a few runs against Quinton de Kock but came back to remove the southpaw with a beautiful outswinger. While he bagged four wickets in the 1^st innings, he returned with a couple in the 2^nd.

Mohammed Shami

Shami has been one of the best bowlers for the visitors especially in the longest format of the game. He looked a bit wayward in some part of the opening Test. However, he bowled with venom and perseverance on the 4^th day morning. While he scalped a solitary wicket in the 1^st essay, he ended with impressive figures of 3/28 in the 2^nd essay.

Jasprit Bumrah

After an impressive debut, Bumrah in all likelihood is expected to retain his place in the side for the 2^nd Test in Centurion. The skiddy customer bowled in the right areas and let the pitch do the talking. He made a ball bounce steeply from a length area, and du Plessis was in no position to fend it and ended up nicking the rising delivery back to the keeper Wriddhiman Saha. Just like Shami the debutant also bagged four wickets in the match, 1 in the 1^st and 3 in the 2^nd.

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