After succumbing to a 72-run defeat to South Africa in Newlands, India will be have their work cut out for them in the second Test at Centurion starting on Saturday.
Virat Kohli’s men were in sight of a famous overseas win after being set a target of 208 runs in the final innings but a Vernon Philander special knocked the stuffing out of the visitors to give South Africa the early advantage.
The stakes for India will be high at the SuperSport Park with the three-match Test series marking the beginning of a 2018 which sees them embark on some tough overseas tours.
As such, we look at the key talking points ahead of the crucial second Test.
WILL KL RAHUL AND AJINKYA RAHANE FEATURE?
KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane had to watch from the sidelines in Newlands as Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma found favour in Kohli’s books.
Both were selections based on current form more than anything else but the gambit failed to pay off for the Indians.
Dhawan fell prey to the short-ball in both innings while Sharma failed to ease any doubts about his overseas credentials yet again.
With calls to reinstate the more technically sound Rahul and Rahane growing from all quarters, Kohli will have lots to ponder about ahead of Saturday.
The fact that Rahane and Rahul were seen going hard at the nets the day after the defeat at Newlands suggests the duo could be in contention at Centurion but Kohli has never shied away from making bold calls earlier and it would not be a surprise to see Dhawan and Sharma retained.
ASHWIN AND JADEJA FIGHT IT OUT FOR LONE SPINNER’S SLOT
Such were the conditions on offer at Newlands that India could well be tempted to go for an all-pace bowling lineup at Centurion. However, with two world-class spinners at their disposal, it is certain that Kohli will opt for at least one on Saturday.
Ravindra Jadeja’s illness meant there was no such headache for the Indian skipper in the first Test but there will be one now. Ravichandran Ashwin bowled only one over in the second innings at Newlands but he did pick up two wickets.
Jadeja though has a more formidable record in South Africa and his accuracy and control means he could be a much better option at holding one end up for the seamers.
INDIA’S PACE BATTERY
Kohli’s selections headaches are not only limited to the batting and spin departments with a similar conundrum facing the Indian skipper when it comes to the pace battery.
The visitors’ pacers held up their end of the bargain in the opening Test, especially in the second innings. The pace quartet of Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya showed just why they were as good as the Proteas bowling attack.
With Centurion being a bouncy track traditionally, Ishant Sharma could become an option for the Indians.
Bumrah’s second innings showing at Newlands means it will be difficult to leave him out of the attack while Shami and Bhuvneshwar were equally impressive.
SOUTH AFRICA FACE PACE DILEMMA OF THEIR OWN
With Dale Steyn’s injury breaking up the dream pace quartet of himself alongside Kagiso Rabada, Philander and Morne Morkel after just one Test, Faf du Plessis will have a choice to make when it comes to the fourth pacer.
Chris Morris is an option for the Proteas skipper along with Duanne Olivier. The 25-year-old was one of the positives from the Test series defeat to England last year while Morris is a familiar hand.
Du Plessis might also ponder about throwing in an extra batsman in place of Steynor or go for a much safer bet in all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
