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The Indian team on Saturday received an injury scare after seam bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur suffered a blow on his shoulder at nets while batting. There is the possibility of him missing the second Test in Cape Town beginning on January 3, but the extent of the hit could be ascertained through scanning if required. At this moment, it couldn't be confirmed if his injury warrants scans.
Mohammed Shami's absence was heavily felt during India vs South Africa first Test. The Indian cricket team pacers leaked runs as South Africa batter piled on runs. Jasprit Bumrah did not have proper support as the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur failed to live up to the expectations. Mohammed Shami, Cricket World Cup 2023's highest wicket-taker, could have been handy in such a situation. However, he is nursing an injury and missed the series.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has blamed the "lack of skill" for India's crushing defeat to South Africa in the first Test earlier this week. South Africa beat India by an innings and 32 runs at the SportSport Park in Centurion, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. India scored just 245 runs in the first innings, while also allowing South Africa to post 408. After conceding a lead of 163 runs, India were bowled out for 131 in their second innings, thus crashing to an innings defeat.
Cheteshwar Pujara is not part of the ongoing India vs South Africa Test series. The veteran batter for long has been a solid player for India in Tests. However, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane's omission from the South Africa Tour made many wonder whether it was the end of the road for the veteran duo in India colours. Cheteshwar Pujara has been playing County cricket and also Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra. On Saturday, Cheteshwar Puajara posted a video of him practising. The video had the caption: "Ranji Trophy prep mode". The post also had a video.
South Africa have been dealt a big blow ahead of the New Year's Test against India, that starts in Cape Town on January 3. South Africa defeated the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team comprehensively in the first Test. Dean Elgar heroic ton and South African pacer's relentless attack ensured that India lose the match by an innings and 32 runs. However, their pace power will miss the services of Gerald Coetzee in the second Test. India need to win the match to draw the series.
India captain Rohit Sharma defended his batters after a crushing innings and 32 runs defeat to South Africa in the first Test in Centurion on Thursday. Trailing South Africa at the end of the first innings by 163 runs, India were bowled out for 131 in the second innings, despite Virat Kohli's 76. While Kohli held the fort in the second innings, KL Rahul had scored a century in the first innings. As rest of the Indian batters failed to perform at the SuperSport Park, Rohit, who registered 5 and 0 runs in the match, played down the talk of his players not knowing how to bat on overseas tracks.
Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra believes that Rohit Sharma and Co were not ready to "take body blows and stick around" during the heavy defeat against South Africa in the first Test match in Centurion. India were completely outplayed by the hosts as they lost by an innings and 32 runs. The defeat meant that India will have to wait even more to win their maiden Test series in South Africa. During his analysis on JioCinema, Chopra said there was little fightback from India on Day 3 and except KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, the Indian batters did not look convincing against the Proteas.
India's hopes of winning a Test series in South Africa ended inside three days as the Rohit Sharma-led side was comprehensively beaten in the first Test of a two-match series in Centurion on Thursday. While South Africa made 408 batting second, India were bowled out for 245 and 131 in their first and second innings, respectively, losing the match by an innings and 32 runs. While analysing KL Rahul's century in the first innings, former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan were involved in a light-hearted conversation.