IND vs SA 2021-22, Wanderers Test: Can Virat Kohli and co seal historic series win or do Proteas bounce back?

It was a worthy effort by India to win the Boxing Day Test in Centurion and take a 1-0 lead against South Africa in the three-Test Freedom Series 2021-22. From Monday, the second Test will be held at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, giving Virat Kohli and co a historic chance of scripting its first-ever series win. However, will it be easy against depleted South Africans, determined to bounce back? Here is the match preview.

Current form
India is coming off a series win against New Zealand. While having won the Centurion Test, it has the upper hand. As for SA, although it won the Test series in the West Indies 2-0, it has a whole new and different challenge against India. Therefore, Proteas will find it difficult to sustain against an unstoppable India.

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Team strength & weaknesses, and players to watch out
Considering the Indian side, it has a robust batting order that is undoubtedly its strength. However, its bowling attack is commendable and bold enough to rattle the South Africans in no time. Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are the ones who will grab eyeballs.

As for the South Africans, their strength is with their batting too. However, it has also moved in with formidable bowling, with some young guns looking promising. Therefore, a similar contest is very likely on the cards. Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi will not make it easy for the Indians.

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Injury concerns and head-to-head
None of the sides has any significant injury scares. However, Quinton de Kock retiring from Test cricket at a crucial juncture, things do not look suitable for Proteas. As for the head-on meetings, both have played on 40 occasions in the format, with things locked 15-15. In South Africa, there have been 21 face-offs, with the host having a lead of 10-4, while in Johannesburg, they have met on five instances, with the visitors leading 2-0.

Weather and pitch report
The Johannesburg weather prediction is uncertain, with scattered thunderstorms expected on all five days. However, the forecast could be proved wrong, as on Day 1 and Day 5 in Centurion. As for the pitch, it is likely to remain the same as Centurion, while the side winning the toss might look to bat first.

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Probable XI
IND: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj.
SA: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi.

Fantasy XI
Batters: Rahane, Elgar, Bavuma, Rahul (c) - Elgar and Rahul will give the perfect start because of their great form, while Rahul's brilliant run makes him the skipper. Meanwhile, Bavuma can consolidate at number three, while Rahane seems perfect in the middle-order.
Wicketkeeper: Pant - With de Kock gone, Pant is the only logical sense here.
All-rounder: Ashwin - He is the only lad who has contributed in all departments, especially with his spin.
Bowlers: Shami (vc), Bumrah, Rabada, Ngidi, Jansen - In an all-out pace attack, all the five men have done brilliantly so far and will continue the trend, while Shami's lethal seam and ability to churn out wickets makes him the deputy captain.

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Match details
Date and day: January 3-7, 2022 (Monday-Friday)
Venue: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
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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