Match Details
Date: December 26-30, 2023
Time : 1:30 PM IST
Venue : SuperSport Park, Centurion
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Follow: South Africa vs India First Test Live Scores Here | Cricket Today Match Prediction
Preview
The first Test of the two-match series will have South Africa play against India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. These two cricketing nations haven’t competed in a Test match after defeating West Indies in their respective series a few months ago during the summer time. But still, the lack of five-day cricket won’t deter the Indian cricket team in their quest to defeat South Africa in a Test series away from home for the first time in history.
Pitch Report
The pitches at the SuperSport Park in Centurion are known for providing substantial help to the fast bowlers with seam and swing in the early stages of a Test match before the variable bounce comes into play from day three onwards. The average first innings score at this venue in Tests is 329, which is going to be a tough task for the batters of both teams to overhaul, if the pitch gives some assistance to the fast bowlers.
Team Analysis
South Africa
In their first Test match of the new home cricket season, South Africa will be facing one of their toughest opponents in India, especially when the stakes couldn’t be any higher. That’s why, the Proteas team management will be looking up to the experienced players in their squad, including names like Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, the captain Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada, to ensure that the opposition is unable to defeat them in the upcoming Test match and the series.
SportsTiger Playing XI of South Africa
Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
India
The Indian cricket team hasn't won a Test series in the rainbow nation in multiple attempts across decades. Therefore, the two-match Test series for India against South Africa is expected to be defined by how the senior players, including the captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah, perform in pressure situations.
SportsTiger Playing XI of India
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Match Prediction
Conclusion
The Indian cricket team will have to bring their A game against South Africa in both the Test matches coming up away from home. Only then, they will give themselves the best chance to break the longstanding record of not winning a Test series in the rainbow nation.
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