India vs South Africa 2021-22, Cape Town Test: Stage set for decider; Virat Kohli and co eye history
By Ayush Gupta | First Published Jan 11, 2022, 5:00 AM ISTIndia and South Africa are all set to face off in the Cape Town Test from Tuesday. The Freedom Series is currently locked 1-1. Here is the preview of the deciding Test as India eyes history.
The stage is set for a historic decider, as India and South Africa clash in the final Test of the 2021-22 Freedom Series, to be played at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town from Tuesday. The series is currently locked 1-1. While the hosts would be looking to save themselves from embarrassment, the visitors will eye a historic first-ever Test series win in the nation. In the same light, we present the match preview.
Current form
India is coming off a series win at home against New Zealand. Although it won the opening Test of the series, it succumbed in the second following a close contest. As for SA, it had not played enough Tests over the past year in the lead-up to the series. Despite the opening Test loss, it did well to bounce back in the second. Thus, a close contest is on the cards yet again.
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Team strength & weaknesses, and players to watch out
As far as the Indian team is concerned, it possesses a great batting line-up, its strength. On the other hand, its bowling attack is respectable and can push the Protea batters onto the backfoot in no time. Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah could prove to be the game-changers.
Meanwhile, for South Africa, batting happens to be its strength as well. Regardless, it comprises some fine bowlers, while the young lot makes it look promising. Thus, a tough battle is on the cards. Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi could prove to be the arch-nemesis for the Indians.
Injury concerns and head-to-head
The South Africans do not have any notable injury concerns. As for India, skipper Virat Kohli, who missed the Wanderers Test due to upper back spasms, is back. However, pacer Mohammad Siraj is out due to a hamstring injury. As for the head-to-head clashes, both have played 41 Tests, with SA leading 16-15. In South Africa, they have played each other 22 times, with the hosts leading 11-4, while in Cape Town, they have met on five occasions, with the hosts having a lead of 3-0.
Weather and pitch report
The weather in Cape Town is forecasted to be pleasant, with the temperature expected to be around 22-30 degrees. There is a possibility of scattered thundershowers on Day 5. As for the track, it will remain dry and bouncy, with the team winning the toss looking to bat first.
Probable XI
IND: KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
SA: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi.
Fantasy XI
Batters: Rahane, Elgar, Bavuma, Rahul (c) - Rahul and Elgar will give the perfect start, with Bavuma consolidating at number three, while Rahane will stabilise in the middle-order. Rahul's consistency makes him the skipper.
Wicketkeeper: Pant - He is the man in better form in this department over Verreynne.
All-rounder: Jansen (vc) - He has been effective with the ball, making him the deputy captain.
Bowlers: Shami, Bumrah, Rabada, Thakur, Ngidi - In an all-out pace attack, the five have been heavily impressive in the same and are touted to come out on top.
Match details
Date and day: January 11-15, 2022 (Tuesday-Saturday)
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Time: 1.30 AM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (also available in HD)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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