India's Predicted Playing XI For The First Test vs South Africa

The India National Cricket Team is all set to fly to South Africa on December 16 for a three-match Test series and a three-match ODI series which is all set to commence from December 26 on Boxing Day. However, even before the departure, the Indian Cricket Team were handed a massive blow when the newly-appointed vice-captain of the Test team, Rohit Sharma, was ruled out of the Test series due to a hamstring pull.

When the Test squad was announced, the Men in Blue had already been dealing with injury blows in the form of Shubman Gill, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, who were left out of the squad owing to injuries. In such a situation, the Indian team looks a bit fragile and hence, they will have to make a perfect combination onto the field. On that note, let’s take a look at the predicted playing XI of team India for the first Test vs South Africa.

India’s Predicted Playing XI For The First Test vs South Africa

KL Rahul (VC)

KL Rahul has been one of India’s most consistent performers across all formats in the last couple of years in the international circuit. He ended the year 2020 as India’s leading run-scorer across all formats. Apart from this, he is an integral part of the Indian leadership group and hence, his place in the first XI is beyond questions. He will certainly be India’s first-choice opener against South Africa.

Mayank Agarwal

With both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill being ruled out of the Test series due to injuries, Mayank Agarwal will be the obvious choice second opener for the national team when they take on the Proteas on December 26. Mayank has rightfully deserved the spot as he has been phenomenal with the bat in the limited opportunities that he has got and once again, the team will be hopeful of him to give good starts.

Cheteshwar Pujara

One of India’s senior members of the Test side, Cheteshwar Pujara, will once again be seen leading the Indian batting lineup at number 3. However, the pressure this time will be more intense than ever before as Pujara has seen a considerable dip in his batting form in the last couple of years as his average in 2021 has gone below 30 and this could well prove to be his last series for the Indian Cricket Team if he fails.

Virat Kohli (C)

India’s maverick in modern-day cricket and the captain of the Indian Test team, Virat Kohli will be a certainty at the number four spot for the Men in Blue donning the Whites. His wait for the 71st international century has long been boiling up and this series might just prove to be the one where the wait ends. His hunger to prove a point after all the recent fiasco will be greater than ever and we might witness some grand knocks.

Shreyas Iyer

Following a phenomenal Test debut in Kanpur in the recently concluded India vs New Zealand series, Shreyas Iyer has made a strong contention for a chance in the first XI of the Indian Test side. Ajinkya Rahane’s dip in form over the last couple of years and his axing as the vice-captain of the side might just be a hint by the management behind Shreyas getting into the first XI against South Africa playing at the number 5 spot.

Rishabh Pant (WK)

Although Wriddhiman Saha was once again brilliant with the gloves and bat in the series against New Zealand, Rishabh Pant is likely to get the nod ahead of Saha in the series against South Africa considering his form in the international cricket in the last year. However, Rishabh Pant’s bat in the last couple of Test series hasn’t done the talking and it will be high time for him to prove his worth once again against the Proteas.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has been the ambassador of Test cricket for India with his performances in 2021. So far, the all-rounder from Tamil Nadu has already picked up 52 wickets, leading the top wicket-takers tally in Tests in 2021 and has shattered many records too. He has become the third-highest wicket-taker for India in Test and his contributions with the bat have been impactful.

In conditions that do not favour spin, it will be interesting to see how Ravichandran Ashwin weaves his magic with the ball against the Proteas.

Shardul Thakur

Another player that has benefitted India to a great extent in both the batting and bowling department has been that of Shardul Thakur. The talismanic all-rounder from Maharashtra has time and again proved his credentials as he has the ability to chirp wickets at regular intervals with the old ball and score quickfire runs when the team is in dire need. Shardul provides a great balance to the Indian Test side and hence in the conditions, he will be a great asset against South Africa.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami’s accuracy and seam movement have been precise as far as Test cricket is concerned. He has been one of India’s most improved bowlers in the last couple of years and alongside Jasprit Bumrah, he has had great experience of playing on the pitches that favour swing and seam. He will be an obvious choice name in the first XI as India take on South Africa on Boxing Day.

Jasprit Bumrah

It is needless to say that Jasprit Bumrah will find a place not only in the Indian team but in every team that he plays for if he is fit to bowl. The pacer from Gujarat has been one of India’s greatest gifts to world cricket. The pacer has picked the most wickets ever since his debut for the Men in Blue since his debut and once again the team will be highly hopeful of Bumrah for turning things around for them.

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has been phenomenal with the ball for team India in India and away from home. His first glimpse was seen in the Australian tour earlier this year where he made his Test debut and Siraj hasn’t stopped since then. Ishant Sharma has been preferred over him throughout the year but a dip in Ishant’s form means Siraj will be the first choice for skipper Virat Kohli when they take to the field against the Proteas on December 26.