IND vs SA | India’s predicted XI for first Test in Visakhapatnam
After honours were shared in the T20 series, world number one India will be looking to exploit home conditions to trump the Proteas as they enter the series being overwhelming favourites. With a record 11 consecutive home series wins at stake, a couple of changes from the Caribbean tour seem likely.
Openers
Mayank Agarwal:Â After a brilliant debut down under where he put in a strong claim for the opening spot, the 28-year-old had a rather turbulent tour against West Indies, managing only a solitary half-century in four innings. However, he is only four Tests old and given that he is yet to play a Test at home, where he has a stupendous domestic record having scored 1,000-plus runs in a season in the past, the dynamic player could seal his spot as a Test opener.
Rohit Sharma: The swashbuckling opener has been given a new life in the game’s longest format, only this time in a spot we have all come to identify him with. Having played his 27 Tests wading his way through in the middle order but being able to conjure only decent stats, a few good performances could help him cement his spot in the team. However, with a few good openers lurking around the corner, he will have to take full advantage of favourable conditions at home to keep his spot.
Middle-order
Cheteshwar Pujara: With 10 of his 18 centuries in the all-whites having come at home, the subcontinent is a favourite hunting ground for the world number four. He was constantly troubled by the moving ball in the two matches against West Indies and failed to perform in any of his four innings, which is why he will be eager to redeem himself and add to his average of nearly 50 in red-ball cricket.
Virat Kohli: Having been dethroned by Steven Smith from a position he had held for long and following it up with an underwhelming Caribbean tour, the skipper seems to have encountered a rare blotch in his illustrious career. However, consistency has been the hallmark of his career and like we have seen numerous times in the past, it would only take one decent innings from him to return to his best.
Ajinkya Rahane: After all the speculation that had surrounded his poor form over the past few months after he had failed to match expectations in successive series, the composed batsman shut all his critics up with an excellent showing in the West Indies. He would be looking to continue with his form and add to his impressive record against the Proteas, having hit twin centuries the last time he had faced them at home.
Hanuma Vihari: The youngster has emerged as India’s brightest prospect filled to the brim with talent, as he showcased against a daunting West Indies attack that even the likes of Kohli and Pujara struggled against, by striking a stylish century and two half-centuries in four innings. Having hit this purple patch of form after a sub-par start to his career, Vihari’s home debut promises to be one to watch out for.
Rishabh Pant: Even though Wriddhiman Saha has returned to the squad and is a contender for the spot of wicketkeeper, Pant is likely to edge him on this one despite all the criticism surrounding him. However, to be fair, the 21-year-old has a record to be proud of for his age in the longer format with an average of nearly 45. He will be determined to redeem himself and hit his first home century, having scored two half-centuries in the only match he has played in the country.
All-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja: His record against South Africa at home when they had met in 2015 makes him an undisputable starter, having taken 23 wickets at an average of less than 11 to help the Men in Blue steamroll the Proteas 3-0. Having been completely out of contention until a few months back, some solid World Cup displays enhanced by a good record in the West Indies tour have now seen him return as a key player in the international setup.
Ravichandran Ashwin: The 33-year-old’s prolific partnership with Jadeja four years ago was one of the best ever showings by spinners on home soil, as the duo combined for 54 of the opponent’s 70 wickets, which included a ten-wicket haul and four five-wicket hauls for the off-spinner. Even though he was excluded against the West Indies, his average of less than 23 at home combined with the struggle of the Proteas against spin, not to mention Ashiwn’s capabilities with the bat, makes him a must-have in the team.
Bowlers
Mohammed Shami: Despite going through a rough patch in his personal life with a lawsuit pending against him, the bowler has managed to reach the peak of his abilities and return to the spotlight. A brilliant World Cup tenure in which he took the world by storm in the opening few matches, he will be captain Kohli’s go-to bowler when the ball loses its shine given his ability to reverse the ball and his high success rate in home conditions.
Ishant Sharma: Another bowler that has only gone better with age, maturity and experience has started to reflect in Ishant's approach to the game and the tall and lanky pacer will enter the series as the squad’s highest wicket-taking pacer, having 278 to his name in 92 Tests. He had a decent return of 11 wickets in the Caribbean Tour and will be instrumental for India in taking early wickets with the new ball.