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Watch: Rahul Dravid's Never-Seen-Before Act Stuns Everyone, Virat Kohli Follows Suit

South Africa is a pace bowler's paradise. The bounce and swing on offer often make travelling teams ditch their traditional plans for a pace-heavy attack in a bid to ace the South African challenge. As the Indian team reached Centurion for the first Test, expectations were from the management to field 4 pacers and just one spinner. As fans looked to track the practice sessions to understand the bowling composition India will proceed with, many were left surprised to see the head coach Rahul Dravid bowl.

Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Ajinkya Rahane Reminder As Indian Batters Struggle Against South Africa

The Indian cricket team didn't get off to the finest of starts on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa, with KL Rahul emerging as the only batter to score a half-century. Had it not been for Rahul's gritty knock, India might not have even managed to put 200 runs on the board. Seeing the touring batting unit's poor show on Day 1 of the Centurion Test, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar admitted that the team needed someone like Ajinkya Rahane in the middle.

"A Great Chance...": Sunil Gavaskar's Verdict Even As India Have Tough Day vs South Africa

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team had a tough day in office as it lost eight wickets on way to reach 208 at stumps on the first day of the first day of the first Test against South Africa. India have never won a Test series in the 'Rainbow Nation' and since the current series is only a two-match affair, the margin of error is also less. On Tuesday, in a rain-curtailed Day of the 1st Test, after the top-order failed, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer stitched a good stand. However, it was KL Rahul's unbeaten 70 off 105 balls that was crucial in India going past 200-run mark.

'Would Have Beaten South Africa But For This Fellow': Ravi Shastri's Blockbuster Verdict

Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri said on Tuesday that the Rohit Sharma-led side has the perfect chance to win their first Test series ever on South African soil because of the absence of a single cricketer. Shastri referenced the brilliant record of former Proteas cricketer Vernon Philander and said that the fact that he is not part of the team automatically gives India the advantage. The fast bowler enjoyed a tremendous run of form against India during his playing career and in the five Test matches that he played at home, he ended up taking 25 wickets at an average of 18.

"If They Get To...": Sanjay Bangar On Why India Haven't Won Test Series In South Africa

India will seek once again to breach the 'final frontier' for their Test team when they begin a two-match series at SuperSport Park on Tuesday. South Africa is the only regular Test-playing country where India have yet to win a series. India have played a total of 8 Test series in South Africa, out of which 7 went in the Proteas' favour with only one ending in a draw. Ahead of India's upcoming Test series in South Africa, former international batter Sanjay Bangar has opined why the team has not been able to win any Test series there.

"Hope He Proves Me Wrong": Sunil Gavaskar Doubts India Star's Preparedness For First Test vs South Africa

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has been observing the current crop of cricketers from close range. As the Rohit Sharma-led team gears up for the South Africa challenge, Gavaskar analysed the preparedness of the unit to deliver on the big occasion. As far as rookie pacer Prasidh Krishna is concerned, Gavaskar doesn't think he is ready to deliver in the first Test against South Africa. Having recently returned form injury, the original Little Master doubts if Krishna can bowl longer spells, which is the requirement of Test cricket.

Rohit Sharma "Has To Change His Approach": Sunil Gavaskar Ahead Of South Africa Tests

As the Indian cricket team embarks upon a challenge they have never managed to ace before, the spotlight will be on skipper Rohit Sharma who returns to international cricket for the first time since the conclusion of Cricket World Cup 2023. Rohit led the Indian team by example, taking them on a run of 10 consecutive wins before the loss against Australia in the final. As India gear up for the South Africa test, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar wants the Hitman to change his approach completely.

No Ashwin-Jadeja Pairing? Gautam Gambhir Picks India's XI for 1st Test Against South Africa

As the Indian cricket team gears up for the ultimate test in South Africa, a country where it has never won a series in the longest format, the debate over the team's best XI has engaged social media, with fans contemplating if India should go with two spinners or just one. When it comes to SENA countries, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja haven't played together a lot, and ahead of the first Test, former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels only one of the two spinners will get the team management's nod.

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Watch: Rahul Dravid's Never-Seen-Before Act Stuns Everyone, Virat Kohli Follows Suit

Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Ajinkya Rahane Reminder As Indian Batters Struggle Against South Africa

"A Great Chance...": Sunil Gavaskar's Verdict Even As India Have Tough Day vs South Africa

'Would Have Beaten South Africa But For This Fellow': Ravi Shastri's Blockbuster Verdict

"If They Get To...": Sanjay Bangar On Why India Haven't Won Test Series In South Africa

"Hope He Proves Me Wrong": Sunil Gavaskar Doubts India Star's Preparedness For First Test vs South Africa

Rohit Sharma "Has To Change His Approach": Sunil Gavaskar Ahead Of South Africa Tests

No Ashwin-Jadeja Pairing? Gautam Gambhir Picks India's XI for 1st Test Against South Africa