South Africa vs India 2018, 1st Test, Cape Town - Match Prediction

After dominating on home soil, the much-awaited India’s tour to South Africa is on its way. It is one of the many overseas tours Team India will play in the upcoming 18 months. Despite India not having a good record in South Africa, Virat Kohli’s team is confident of putting up a good show something which Jacques Kallis alluded.

While there’s a lot of guesswork surrounding the possible team combinations and the pitch conditions in Cape Town, it’ll be absorbing to see how both teams cope with the immense pressure of coming out on top at the end of the Test. It will be an enthralling experience for all the viewers to witness a fierce battle between the star-studded batting line-up fighting it out with the best pace-bowling attack in the world.

Team News

South Africa: Faf Du Plessis’ side is buzzing, but Faf du Plessis is conservative, with confidence after dismantling Zimbabweans in just two days in the Boxing Day Test match. However, it will be a different ball game when they lock horns with the No 1 Test side. Hosts South Africa will bank on pace attack to do the bulk of the job in the first match at Newlands, Capetown.

The Proteas have some quality batters in their ranks as well in the form of Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, and the skipper himself. AB de Villiers is expected to entertain the spectators with some top quality cricket. Keshav Maharaj and Dean Elgar will look after the spin department.

Predicted XI: Faf du Plessis (C), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

India: This Indian team under the leadership of Virat Kohli has a competitive attitude, unlike any other Indian teams that have stepped in South Africa’s backyard. The young guns are confident about changing their poor track record in South Africa.

India will likely go in with three specialist seamers and Hardik Pandya, who has received praise from Rahul Dravid, slotting in as the seaming all-rounder. Swashbuckling opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has recovered well in time is likely to open the innings with Murali Vijay as KL Rahul will have to spend some more time on the sidelines.

Indian middle-order has scored tons of runs in the long home season and it will be a test for them in this challenging conditions. Kohli’s captaincy will also be tested when India takes the field in the first Test starting on January 5. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will manage the spin department.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami.

Match Prediction: Both teams will look to start off the proceedings on a positive note or at least, shift the scales in their favor in case of a closely contested affair.However, South Africa playing in their own hut will have a nod ahead with a 55-45 chance of winning the first Test match.

Here is the newsfeed:

Vernon Philander reveals they are focusing on game not Virat Kohli

Visitors Predicted XI-1st Test Cape Town

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