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

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.

Virat Kohli's Simulation, Shreyas Iyer Faces... - India's Tactics For South Africa 2nd Test Revealed

Virat Kohli looked a million dollars as he did extensive simulation for South Africa's left-arm pacer Nandre Burger but Shreyas Iyer's problems seemed to continue while facing a barrage of short balls at nets on Monday. On the New Year's Day, it was business as usual for Kohli, who had an extended session lasting close to an hour. First, he was at the centre nets against bowlers and then he faced high-intensity throwdowns for about 20 to 25 minutes at outside nets. Kohli is known to come to nets with specific purpose and on Monday, it seemed he wanted to extensively bat against a left-arm pacer. Since the Indian team's pace bowling roster doesn't include a left-armer, a net bowler was summoned and Kohli faced a good 25 to 30 deliveries from him in between playing against Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin and Avesh Khan.

Watch: Virat Kohli Smashes Ravichandran Ashwin For A Big Six Ahead Of 2nd Test. Video Viral

After a crushing loss against South Africa in the first Test, the Indian cricket team is gearing up for the second and final match that starts on Wednesday in Cape Town. For India it's a do-or-die match if they are to draw the series. In the first Test, Dean Elgar hit 185 while the South African bowlers were on song too as India crumbled to a loss by innings and 32 runs. The second Test gives them an opportunity to set the record straight.

"Was Hardly Used...": Sunil Gavaskar Predicts Two Changes In XI For India's Must-Win 2nd Test vs South Africa

The New Year brings in new hopes for Indian cricket team fans. The year 2023 promised a lot for India for there were heartbreaks too. The losses in the finals of the World Test Championship and the ODI Cricket World Cup were heavy blows for the team. 2023 ended on a sour note for the Rohit Sharma-led team as it lost by an Innings and 32 runs in the first Test against South Africa. The second and final Test of the series starts on January 3 and they have to win it to draw the series.

No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma And Mohammed Shami In Harsha Bhogle's Test Team Of 2023. Only 2 Indians Find Place

Team India's had a mixed bag of results in Test cricket in 2023. The Rohit Sharma-led side played the final game of the year in the longest format of the game against South Africa, losing by an innings and 32 runs. India won Test series against Australia and West Indies, but lost the World Test Championship (WTC) final to the Pat Cummins-led side. In terms of individual performances, star batter Virat Kohli was the team's top-scorer with 671 runs in 12 innings at an average of 55.91. Following his knock of 76 in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa, Kohli ended the year with two centuries and as many half-centuries to his name.

Big Controversy Averted? R Ashwin Warns Marco Jansen For Backing Up Too Far During India vs South Africa Test

India were at the receiving end on the third day of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion as a resolute Dean Elgar's 185 helped the hosts take a massive lead. The batter missed out on a well-deserved maiden double hundred but inflicted enough damage on India in company of young Marco Jansen to potentially bat the visitors out of the opening Test as South Africa reached 392 for 7 at lunch on the third day. Elgar (185 off 287 balls), whose previous highest Test score is 199, was inching towards his maiden double hundred before a faint tickle to leg-side bouncer from Shardul Thakur brought about his end.

Five-Star Kagiso Rabada Rattles India As KL Rahul displays Grit On Rain-Hit Day

Kagiso Rabada was at his lethal best, knocking the stuffing out of India's batting ‘prima donnas' with a fifer on a track offering extra and variable bounce as South Africa took control of the proceedings on the opening day of the first Test on Tuesday. KL Rahul (70 batting, 105 balls) continued his love affair with Supersport Park, displaying excellent temperament on a difficult pitch taking India to 208 for 8 in 59 overs when rain forced early stumps. Rabada (5/44 in 17 overs) bowled two of the most intimidating and incisive spells witnessed in recent times to completely rock the Indian batting line-up, which struggled to cope with the conditions. One of the finest fast bowlers in contemporary cricket, Rabada bowled an absolute peach to dismiss Virat Kohli (38 off 64 balls) with the old ball after having bounced out Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (5) in his first spell.

Viral "Best Spin Allrounders" Photo Confirms Australia's Stance On Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar

When it comes to spin-bowling all-rounders the current generation of cricketers in the Indian team has multiple names that can feature in the all-time list. The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel can all bat very well while being incredibly threatening with the ball. The reputation that the trio has doesn't just hold true in India but it seems like the Australian cricket team is also of the same opinion. In a picture that has emerged from Australia's dressing room, it does look like they hold the trio of Axar, Jadeja and Ashwin in high regards.

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Ravichandran Ashwin Sport News

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

Virat Kohli's Simulation, Shreyas Iyer Faces... - India's Tactics For South Africa 2nd Test Revealed

Watch: Virat Kohli Smashes Ravichandran Ashwin For A Big Six Ahead Of 2nd Test. Video Viral

"Was Hardly Used...": Sunil Gavaskar Predicts Two Changes In XI For India's Must-Win 2nd Test vs South Africa

No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma And Mohammed Shami In Harsha Bhogle's Test Team Of 2023. Only 2 Indians Find Place

Big Controversy Averted? R Ashwin Warns Marco Jansen For Backing Up Too Far During India vs South Africa Test

Five-Star Kagiso Rabada Rattles India As KL Rahul displays Grit On Rain-Hit Day

Viral "Best Spin Allrounders" Photo Confirms Australia's Stance On Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar