Indian were in Australia exactly a year ago, and it was from the Boxing Day Test match that their historic turnaround began. Yet again they are in the southern hemisphere, for a Boxing Day Test, this time in South Africa – the only country where India have played Test cricket but never won a series. Their 'final frontier', in other words.
The three-match series starts at Centurion on Sunday. Both teams are understandably rustier than they should be, due to the current Covid-19 situation in South Africa. They also have problems to address.
India are carrying a middle order that has not been at their best of late. For some seniors, this can be a make-or-break series. South Africa, on the other hand, are going through a transition, and lack experience in their middle order. To add to that, Dean Elgar will be leading them for the first time at home.
On the other hand, there is no lack of fire power for both South Africa and India as far as bowling is concerned. One may view this series as a battle between two fantastic pace attacks. The typically greenish pitch at Centurion, along with two days of dull weather, will tempt both the captains to field all-pace attacks. However, with Ravindra Jadeja not available, India are likely to include R. Ashwin.
Likely XIs
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi.
India: K.L. Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), R. Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.
Fantasy tips
- Pick as many fast bowlers as possible in your line-up.
- Kohli has shown a glimpse of form of late, so you can have faith on his batting skills under these testing conditions.
- De Kock is a key member of the South African batting line-up. He should be your preferred option as wicketkeeper.
Fantasy XI:
Quinton de Kock (c), Dean Elgar, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul (vc), Rassie van der Dussen, R. Ashwin, Wiaan Mulder, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi