The first test between South Africa and India is all set to get underway as the toss has been done. The start of the Boxing Day test saw a delay due to rain. It rained earlier, and then the wet outfield forced the game to start late.
However, all things are set now, and the hosts have won the toss. South African captain Temba Bavuma has decided to bowl first under the overcast conditions and gone with a four-seamer pace attack. Meanwhile, the Indian team has also done horses for courses.
Team India has decided to go with four pacers and one spinner. Surprisingly, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is not part of the playing XI, which has come as a shock to many. Notably, Jadeja is India’s first-choice spinner in away matches because of his ability to bat.
He is a crucial batter down the order and his role in the absence of Rishabh Pant has become more vital with the bat. However, he will not feature in the Boxing Day test between India and South Africa. The Indian captain revealed the reason and confirmed that Jadeja had a back spasm, which has forced him to sit out.
Hence, Ravi Ashwin gets his chance as a bowling all-rounder. It will be a great chance for Ashwin to showcase that he can do well in SENA countries as well. India has also given the maiden cap to Prasidh Krishna. He, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur, will be the four pacers.
On the other hand, Nandre Burger and David Bedingham are also making their test debuts for the hosts. Lungi Ngidi also couldn’t make the playing XI due to fitness; hence, two new faces will be in the team. Team India has never won a test series in South Africa, and it will be a great chance for them.
Playing XIs for first test in Centurion
South Africa : Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (Captain), Keegan Petersen, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger
India : Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
