India vs South Africa 2nd Test: Match Preview, Pitch Report, Weather Report, Predicted XIs

02.01.2024 - 09:32 sports.ndtv.com

Rohit Sharma, the leader, will need to channelise the champion tactician that resides in him as India look to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Championship points table when the second Test starts here on Wednesday.

India are sixth in the nine-team table with 14 points (38.89 PCT) and a defeat will dent their standing further. Ravindra Jadeja, India's "Most Valuable Player" across formats, will come back to add the requisite middle-order batting balance and steady overs with the old Kookaburra but it will be the skipper's choice of third and fourth speed merchants that will define the embattled team's response.

As harsh as it might sound, no one knows more than Rohit that Prasidh Krishna is pretty undercooked to counter the vagaries of Test cricket and Shardul Thakur's bits and pieces talent will not win him much on most days.

But with three top-order batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer compounding the team's worries with their ineptitude while dealing with the bouncer barrage, Shardul's presence gives the side an assumption of batting depth on paper.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Test Match Preview Rohit Sharma Ravichandran Ashwin Yashasvi Jaiswal Ravindra Jadeja South Africa India

After the completion of the India vs South Africa series, former India cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar believes that one of the main reasons behind India's loss against South Africa at Centurion was purely due to poor performance by their bowlers and went onto defend Shardul Thakur despite his disappointing performance in the first Test. Thakur was dropped from the playing XI for the second Test at Cape Town due to his poor performance in the first Test of the series where he was able to pick only one wicket in his spell of 19 overs where he conceded 101 runs. The right-arm seamer, Mukesh Kumar replaced Thakur for the second Test where the bowler snapped four wickets in the match. Manjrekar opined that the entire Indian bowling team failed collectively in the first Test and that the think tank may have desired a better batter at No. 8, where Thakur excels.

Revisiting Viral Moment When Indian Cricket Team Star Complained Of Hole In Newlands Pitch During 2nd Test Against South Africa

The Newlands pitch has been in the headlines ever since the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa saw a whopping 23 wickets fall. As game resumed on the second day, India struck early, with Jasprit Bumrah sending back David Bedingham. However, not longer after the Proteas lost their 4th wicket of the second innings, play came to a brief halt as India pacer Mukesh Kumar complained of a hole in the pitch where his foot was landing while bowling. Though India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the situation, hammers came out as the ground staff looked to resolve the matter.

India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's DRS Discussion In Second Test Has Internet In Splits For 'Wrong' Language

With just one wicket to go and three reviews remaining, the Indian cricket team decided to make use of their resources, although knowing that the result was unlikely to come in their favour. Mohammed Siraj hit South Africa's Nandre Burger high on the right right, on Day 2 of the second Test at Cape Town, but the umpire had little interest in rewarding Team India's appeal. However, realising that India have three DRS calls to spare, Rohit contemplated going for a review, after a brief discussion with teammates, but eventually decided against taking it.

"It Is Dangerous...": Fuming Rohit Sharma Wants Indian Pitch Critics 'To Keep Mouths Shut' After 2-Day India vs South Africa Test

A two-day Test is bound to generate a lot of question marks. The same is happening with the India vs South Africa second Test that ended in less than five sessions on Thursday. As many as 23 wickets tumbled on day one with the hosts being bowled out for 55 and the visitors for 153 before India lost three more wickets in their second innings. In the second session of the second day, India completed the task in 12 overs. Only 107 overs were bowled - making it the shortest Test match ever.

"Ravichandran Ashwin Better Than Shardul Thakur": India Great's Suggestion Ahead Of 2nd Test vs South Africa

Former India batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth has backed veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin to retain his place in the playing XI for the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. South Africa defeated India by an innings and 32 runs at the SuperSport Park in Centurion last week. Ashwin was India's most economical bowler in the Boxing Day Test, giving away just 41 runs in 19 overs, while claiming a solitary wicket. With Ravindra Jadeja likely to return for the game at the Newlands, Srikkanth feels Ashwin is better than Shardul Thakur, who pretty expensie in the first Test.

India vs South Africa 2nd Test Day 1, Cape Town Weather Report: Will Rain Force Delayed Start?

India vs South Africa 2nd Test Day 1, Cape Town Weather Report: Will Rain Play Spolisport?