IND vs SA 2021: India's Test Squad vs South Africa (Predicted)

India will be up against South Africa for a complete three-match test series and this will be India’ best chance of winning a series in the nation for a long time. The previous test tour to South Africa ended in the Proteas favour with a 2-1 win and India will know that it is not going to be easy through the challenges in the seaming pitches in the country.

India have been excellent in the recent tours of Australia and England with wins of the highest order. However, South Africa cannot be taken likely as well as they produced a marvellous performance in the recent T20 World cup 2021 despite not making the playoffs. Here is India’s predicted test squad against South Africa.

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IND vs SA 2021: India’s Test Squad vs South Africa (Predicted)

Virat Kohli(C):

Virat Kohli will return for the second test against New Zealand in the ongoing two-match Test series and he is expected to lead the side in the South Africa tour. Virat has been under the scanner for not being at his prime best in the last two to three years in international cricket and this will be a good opportunity for him to prove he can still add great value.

Rohit Sharma:

Rohit Sharma had a fantastic series in his maiden tour to England as a test opener and he managed to answer all the questions about his ability to perform in overseas conditions. The right-hander is also expected to take up the vice-captaincy of the side with Rahane on the verge of losing his spot. This will also mark Rohit’s first assignment as a test opener in South African conditions.

KL Rahul:

KL Rahul had a life turning point in the recent test tour to England as he made a comeback after 2 years in the longer format and utilised his opportunity to the fullest. Rahul showed a lot of character along with patience to counter the swinging conditions in England and he will be the first choice opener alongside Rohit for the South Africa tour.

Cheteshwar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara’s place in the side could become a question mark if he fails to perform in the upcoming tour to SouthAfrica. It will be an important tour for the experienced right-hander who has been a shadow of himself from the past. He will need an extravagant performance in the tour to South Africa to make sure he retains his place for the next series as well.

Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane will be under immense pressure as he notched up a string of low scores after the Melbourne test in Australia and doesn’t look like getting out of the shell. The vice-captain has found numerable ways to get out and it has been one of the problems for his downfall. His international career could be reaching the last stages and he might still get the nod given his experience in South Africa.

Shreyas Iyer:

Probably, Shreyas Iyer might be holding up a place in the Indian middle order with Rahane’s form fading away. India has already started looking out for options and Shreyas Iyer has taken his chance with full hands. He has already scored a century in the first innings and a half-century in the second innings on his debut and is likely to retain his place in the Test squad to South Africa ahead of Hanuma Vihari.

Rishabh Pant:

Rishabh Pant was rested for the series against New Zealand and he is expected to return for the test tour to South Africa as the first-choice wicketkeeper. The left-hander has been under slight criticism off late after not being able to make big scores and he hasn’t been tonking the balls out of the ground as well. He will be looking to make a mark on his first tour to South Africa.

Wriddhiman Saha:

Wriddhiman Saha is by far, the best wicketkeeper in the Indian circuit and the 37-year-old has shown that he can offer a lot with the bat as well. A lot of questions had crept up on his place in the side with KS Bharat coming up the ranks, but Saha did well in the second innings with an unbeaten 61 against New Zealand. He is expected to be the backup wicketkeeper for the South Africa tour.

Ravindra Jadeja:

Ravindra Jadeja will play the role of an all-rounder in the side and he is expected to be the first choice spinner ahead of Ravi Ashwin in overseas conditions. He has been batting really well with some important knocks under his belt and India can afford to send him at number six as well. He will definitely make it to the Indian squad for South Africa tour.

Ravichandran Ashwin:

Ravichandran Ashwin has recently moved up to the number three position in the most test wicket for India and he has been the standout spinner for India in the longer format. It was very surprising to see him sit out in the England tour and it could be the same case in South Africa as well. However, he brings a lot to the table and will be one of the first names on the tour to South Africa.

Shardul Thakur:

Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead the Indian pace attack in South Africa and he had some fantastic outings in his previous tour to the nation in 2018. He has been performing really well in all formats for India and can be the X factor bowler that can change games around. He will return to the side for the South Africa tour.

Mohammad Shami:

Mohammad Shami has improved his batting display in tests and it will be an added advantage for India along with his excellent seam bowling abilities. He is expected to gain the maximum usage of the pitches in South Africa as he can the right length and get it to deviate. Shami has had the experience of South Africa tours in the past and will be lining up to win it for India.

Ishant Sharma:

Ishant Sharma has been looking tired and weary and has lost his pace as well to some extent. The tall Indian seamer was one of the deadly trios of bowling and he was phenomenal with the new ball. He wasn’t much effective in the recent tour to England and hasn’t been bowling at the same rhythm. He might not feature in the playing XI in South Africa if he fails to get back his old rhythm.

Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav has improved his test abilities enormously and the right-arm quick was lethal straightaway in the recent tour to England. He has been waiting for an opportunity for a long time after his injury in Australia and he should make the squad for the South Africa tour. He can use the conditions to his strength and could feature in the playing XI as well.

Also Read – IND vs SA: 5 Indian Players Who Can Make Their Test Debut In The Series

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