South Africa will look to complete the whitewash when they go up against India at the Wanderers from 24 – 28 January.
Having already wrapped up the series with convincing wins at Newlands and SuperSport Park Centurion, the Proteas will look to complete the whitewash at the Wanderers this week.
Faf du Plessis and his men will love nothing more than to do just that at a ground where they’ve only won four of their last nine Tests.
South Africa vs India | 24 January – 28 January | The Wanderers, Johannesburg
To Win Match
South Africa 13/20 | Draw 2/1 | India 5/1
South Africa
Despite not getting the wicket they wanted in Centurion, the Proteas still did more than enough the claim victory. Debutant Lungi Ngidi stole the show in Pretoria with figures of 7-90 – with six of those wickets coming in India’s second innings.
This feat was made all the more impressive by the slow nature of the pitch. Of course, batting was difficult in the fourth innings but the surface produced conditions that the Indians would have been pretty comfortable with you’d think. You can be sure they won’t be nearly as comfortable with Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada steaming in at the Wanderers.
In terms of selection, things became significantly easier for Ottis Gibson following the finger injury which has unfortunately ruled Bavuma out of the series. It would have been a joy to see him open at his home ground against the number one ranked team in the world. If Aiden Markram is fit, he plays. If he is unable to take the field then Theunis de Bruyn will open with Elgar as no replacement has been called up for Bavuma.
Other than that, a decision needs to be made about whether to play Keshav Maharaj or to bring in one of Andile Phelukwayo or Chris Morris. The Dolphins off-spinner has only managed two wickets in the two previous Tests and has been unusually expensive, with the Indians attacking him at every opportunity. The out-and-out pace of Morris is likely to crack the nod if the South African management team does go this route.
India
Wow, where to next for India on a tour which promised so much but is ultimately ending in disappointment? How has Ajinkya Rahane yet to play? What was the reasoning behind dropping Bhuvneshwar Kumar? Why persist with a Rohit Sharma who is clearly out of form and out of his depth.
To be fair, the decision to include Ishant Sharma at the expense of Kumar was justified with the lanky seamer finishing on figures of 5-98. Still, you feel for Kumar who was the pick of the Indian bowlers down in Newlands. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not he can force his way back into the side.
You feel that Sharma will retain his place in Johannesburg because of the bounce he generates. Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be dropped while Mohammad Shami’s performances will no doubt keep him in the side.
Rohit on the other hand – despite scoring 47 in the fourth innings of the second Test – needs to make way. Things won’t get any easier when the teams make the trip down the N1 to the Wanderers. His place in the side must be taken by Rahane who piles on the runs outside of India.
Alternatively, Ravichandran Ashwin can make way for the vice-captain. Ashwin is unlikely to find much joy at the Wanderers until the latter stages of the match. And with the Indian batting unit battling to score enough runs to remain competitive, management may well decide to sacrifice the spinner.
Verdict: South Africa 13/20
After the deck at Centurion played more like Rajikot than Pretoria, you can be sure that curator Bethuel Buthelezi will prepare a lightening quick wicket in Johannesburg. With this in mind you will definitely want to be backing the Proteas and their seamers at 13/20.
