India are set to start 2018 with their most challenging Test in recent times as they take on South Africa at the Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.
The Men in Blue arrive in South Africa full of confidence but face the prospect of running into a firing Proteas pace-attack.
The subcontinent side has never ever won a Test series in South Africa and coupled with their reputation of being poor travellers, Virat Kohli and his men have it all to prove despite the skipper stating the contrary before their arrival.
With the three-match series set to be a gruelling affair, we take a look at how India could shape up for the battle.
VIJAY LEADS STRONG OPENING CONTINGENT
The Indians are blessed when it comes to openers with the trio of Murali Vijay, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan excelling with the bat.
While Vijay and Rahul started 2017 as the established pair, injuries had afforded another chance to Dhawan in the five-day format and the 32-year-old Delhi man grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
So much so, that it was Dhawan and Vijay who ended the year as the favoured pair despite Rahul scoring seven consecutive fifties.
With the left-hander ruled out of the first Test, it will be Vijay and Rahul to take guard for India.
The former has an excellent temperament and can blunt the new ball with his patient approach. He will be India’s opening mainstay in South Africa with Rahul and Dhawan fighting it out for the second spot.
Vijay will be India’s opening mainstay in South Africa.
IN-FORM PUJARA AND KOHLI FORM SOLID SPINE
In Cheteshwar Pujara, India have a number three who has flourished in the last two years after losing his place due to poor form.
The 31-year-old ended 2017 as the second highest run-scorer in Tests, behind the unstoppable Steve Smith with 1,140 run at an average of 67.
The man once destined to replicate Rahul Dravid’s success as the ‘Wall’, Pujara’s penchant to play the big innings will be crucial to India’s chances on African shores.
Behind him, Kohli has been in the form of his life in 2017 where he averaged a staggering 75.64 on the back of three double-tons and two centuries.
Now the No2 ranked Test batsmen in the world behind Smith, the Indian skipper will be itching to sustain that success overseas.
He will be bidding to improve his record since the 2013 tour of South Africa where he ended the series as the second highest run-scorer behind Pujara.
Kohli and Pujara were on song in the 2013 tour of South Africa.
INDIA’S LOWER MIDDLE-ORDER CONUNDRUM
While Ajinkya Rahane would be the first name on the team-sheet for any overseas tour given he has scored a 90 plus knock in all his recent travels for India, his horrid run of form against Sri Lanka in the recent series means he arrives in South Africa lacking in confidence.
Rahane, along with Pujara and Kohli, were excellent with the bat against South Africa four years ago where the trio ended the series as the three highest run-scorers.
However, with Rohit Sharma showing decent form in recent months, the Indian management could be tempted to give him a bat instead of Rahane if they decide to play five bowlers.
The smart money would be on Rahane to retain his place given that Sharma has never been able to hold down a spot in the Test side due to his overseas struggles, but do not be surprised if Kohli and Ravi Shastri opt to go with the in-form batsman in the first Test.
Elsewhere, Wriddhiman Saha has been solid behind the stumps and with the bat, while Parthiv Patel will provide the backup option in case of an injury.
Rahane’s poor form could open the door for Rohit Sharma.
THE PANDYA QUESTION AND ASHWIN/JADEJA CHOICE
It is not a secret that Hardik Pandya is being groomed by India to be its pace-all-rounder for overseas conditions with the 24-year-old enjoying a meteoric rise since his introduction last year.
Pandya would be competing with Sharma for a spot in the playing XI depending on the composition of the team.
If Kohli opts for four bowlers, Pandya could lose out to Sharma, but should play if the skipper goes for five bowling options.
While three pacers would be a given for South African conditions, it would mean a direct shootout between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the spinner’s slot. Both enjoyed a strong 2017 by finishing in the top-five wicket-takers for the calendar year.
In 2013, Jadeja outshone Ashwin in the series with six wickets while the latter went wicketless.
Jadeja’s excellent control and accuracy provides India with the option of tying down one end while bowling, but Ashwin’s impressive array of variations offers more wicket-taking opportunities.
One of Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja will miss out.
INDIA’S PACE DELIGHT
While all the talk has been about South Africa’s lethal pace quartet of Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel, India have a fast-bowling attack to shout about too.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has emerged as the new leader of the pace attack with his mastery of seam-bowling. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami have also excelled despite playing mostly in subcontinent conditions. The former can be a threat on any wicket with his pace, while the latter can be lethal with the movement and reverse-swing he generates.
Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma has proved to be an able back-up option as shown by his displays against Sri Lanka.
With Jasprit Bumrah being handed his maiden Test call-up, India have an abundance of fast-bowling options, a situation they have rarely found themselves in over the past ten years.
Bhuvneshwar has emerged as the leader of India’s pace attack.
