SA vs IND: India's Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 2nd Test
Published - 02 Jan 2022, 07:12 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:02 AM
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India will take on South Africa in the second of the three-match Test series at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. They have begun the series with a win in the first Test and another one will help them register the first-ever Test series win in South Africa.
One can expect India to come out all guns blazing in the second Test, which is scheduled to be played from 3rd to 7th January 2022. Ahead of the second Test of the series, here’s a look at our predicted playing XI of the Indian Cricket Team.
SA vs IND: India’s Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 2nd Test
Openers: KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal
Both the batsmen deserve all the praise for setting the tone for a win in the first Test of the series. The duo played outstanding knocks at the top of the order in the first innings of the Test match. They adjusted to the conditions brilliantly and put on a 117-run partnership for the opening wicket.
KL Rahul scored his maiden Test century in South Africa, while Mayank Agarwal scored a valuable 60 off 123. Given how they batted in the first Test, they will be the most important batsmen for India in the batting line-up.
Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant
Cheteshwar Pujara got out on the very first ball in the first innings of the first Test. He made 16 off 64 in his second attempt. His numbers are certainly not going to help India in the series. The next Test could well be his last if he doesn’t perform to his potential.
Skipper Virat Kohli’s lean run of form hasn’t been helping India either. He made 35 and 18 in his two innings in the first Test. India can be trouble in the second Test if he won’t convert the starts into big scores.
India persisted with Ajinkya Rahane in the first Test and he is likely to hold his place in the next Test as well. He scored 48 off 102, which includes 9 boundaries during India’s first innings. However, Rahane has to make sure that he converts the starts into big scores.
Rishabh Pant looked to be at his aggressive self in the first Test. He played shots and looked good during his stay. One shouldn’t get surprised if he scores a century in the next Test.
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur
Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur didn’t make a massive impact with the ball but their presence adds balance to the team. Both give valuable runs down the order and are also effective with the ball as well. Ashwin and Thakur picked two wickets each in the first Test of the series. Their returns with the bat, however, didn’t inspire a lot of confidence.
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj’s outstanding form make India a team to beat in Test Cricket. The trio has been bowling exceedingly well in Test Cricket. They bowled at great areas and kept picking wickets at regular intervals.
Shami picked a five-wicket haul in the first innings and three in the second innings. Bumrah and Siraj, on the other hand, picked 4 and 3 respectively. India should persist with these three in the second Test as well.
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IND vs SA 2021 India National Cricket Team India tour of South Africa 2021 India vs South Africa 2021 Jasprit Bumrah KL Rahul Mayank Agarwal Mohammad Shami Mohammed Siraj Ravichandran Ashwin SA vs IND 2021 Shardul Thakur South Africa National Cricket Team South Africa vs India 2021 Virat Kohli
