SA vs IND: Match Preview, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 2nd Test 

India have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series against South Africa. Virat Kohli and Co. won the first Test by 113 runs at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The second Test is scheduled to be played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Another win will confirm India’s first-ever Test series win in South Africa. The hosts are likely to come hard and deny India of a win in the second Test. Here’s a look at how the two teams shape up ahead of the second Test of the series.

SA vs IND: Match Preview, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 2nd Test 

India:

India were nothing short of outstanding in the first Test. Despite the rain interrupting the play on several occasions, India managed to win the first Test by a big margin of 113 runs in the end. The KL Rahul-Mayank Agarwal set the tone for the win.

The duo stitched a 117-run partnership for the opening wicket and it eventually turned out to be the difference in the game. Thanks to that century, India managed to score 327 runs in the first innings. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal’s good form should keep the team in good stead ahead of the second Test. Rahane and Kohli scored 48 and 35 respectively.

However, India would still be worried about the middle-order’s form. All three players, namely Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara aren’t in the best of form. One could see a change in the middle-order but chances are less likely.

India’s overall batting performance didn’t inspire a lot of confidence but their bowling did. The dreadful trio of Siraj, Shami, and Burmrah were once again outstanding with the ball. Mohammed Shami picked a five-wicket haul in the first innings, while Bumrah and Siraj picked 5 and 3 wickets respectively in the match.

Siraj’s performance in the first Test perhaps won’t allow Ishant Sharma to get a place in the playing XI for the next game. Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur add depth to the batting line and thus are likely to be persisted in the playing XI.

South Africa

South Africa would be disappointed with their performance in the first Test. The bowlers didn’t bowl too well on the first day of the Test. They allowed KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to stitch a hundred run opening partnership. They made a comeback on the next day of the Test match but India eventually managed to post a total of above 300.

South Africa’s batting performance was more disappointing. The Proteas got bundled out for below 200- run total twice in the Test match. South Africa made 197 in the first innings and got out on 191 in their second innings. Barring Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, no other batsman made an impact with the bat.

The South African batsmen need to bat really well against a solid Indian bowling unit if they want to win the Second Test in Johannesburg. Sadly, Quinton de Kock has announced his retirement from Test Cricket and this only adds more worry for them.

Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi picked 7 and 8 wickets respectively in the first Test. Both of them will, once again, be integral to South Africa’s fortune in the next Test. Youngster Marco Jansen looked good in India’s second innings. He picked 4 for 55 in 13.3 overs. It will be interesting to see the bowls in the next Test match.