India, who are still searching for a Test series victory in South Africa, may have their best opportunity to date in a compressed two-match series that begins with a Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park.
India’s fast bowlers are clearly among the best in the world, but if they rely too much on them, they also need to be careful with their over rates in these World Test Championship exchanges, which can see them suffer points deductions.
Except for their defeat to India, South Africa have won eight of their previous nine Test matches at SuperSport Park.
To Win Match
South Africa 2/1 | Draw 2/1 | India 15/10
The retirement of Dean Elgar after the series might come as a bit of a shock to the side, but it seems to be in line with a desire to build a Test team for the long-term future.
Due to nagging injuries, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, two of South Africa’s best fast bowlers, have been unable to participate in the white-ball series. Rabada will be the apparent danger man in the South African attack if he is completely recovered.
Elgar and Aiden Markram stand out as the two batters are most likely to truly profit from a pitch they will both be familiar with from playing domestic cricket here for the Titans.
Tristan Stubbs has been included in the squad, but it isn’t apparent where he might slot into the team unless Kyle Verreynne doesn’t take the gloves.
Having scored a magnificent century here to earn player of the match in a historic India victory, KL Rahul has fond memories of this place.
While Rahul achieves that feat as an opener, it’s uncertain if youthful Yashasvi Jaiswal, who partnered with the skipper in the Caribbean, will take on the responsibility of opening alongside Rohit Sharma or if the more experienced man will be given that mantle.
If he keeps wicket ahead of Srikar Bharat, who took up the gloves in the World Test Championship final loss to Australia at the Oval, Rahul may be required to bat lower in the order for India on this visit.
India may discover that they have a significant advantage in batting depth against South Africa because of the all-around skills of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Verdict: India 15/10
India could take advantage of the perpetual chaos in the Proteas camp to inflict a painful defeat.
