South Africa vs India - players.bio

India vs South Africa 1st Test, Centurion Weather Report: Washout Threat Looms On Opening Day

As Rohit Sharma's Indian team reaches Centurion for the first match of the 2-match Test series against South Africa, it's the rain threat that remains the biggest roadblock for the two sets of players. While winning the Test series in the Rainbow Nation remains the team's ultimate aim, the first day of the first Test is under the serious threat of a washout. Weather at the Supersport Park in Centurion paints quite a gloomy picture, denting players and fans' hopes of witnessing a thrilling Boxing Day Test action.

India's Predicted XI vs South Africa, 1st Test: Will Ravichandran Ashwin Get A Chance?

With an aim to register their maiden Test series win in South Africa, India will face the Proteas in the 1st Test of the two-match series, starting December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be back in the team alongside pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as India will restart their quest for the historic series win. India have played a total of 8 Test series in South Africa. Out of that, they lost 7 and drew 1. Under the captaincy of Rohit, the Indian team will aim to turn the tables this time.

Why Haven't India Won A Test Series In South Africa? Factors Explained

The Indian men's cricket team has demonstrated their dominance in various conditions across the globe. However, there remains an elusive quest haunting their illustrious Test cricket history - a series victory in South Africa. Despite India's remarkable achievements in Test cricket in recent years which include Test series victories in Australia, the Indian cricket teams have faced challenges in conquering the South African frontier. In fact, India have won only four Test matches in South Africa in three decades. Here's a look at the reasons behind this unattained feat.

IND vs SA: How Has Jasprit Bumrah Performed In Boxing Day Tests? Here's A Look At Statistics

During the first Test between India and South Africa at Centurion, a much-anticipated Boxing Day affair, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be wearing the whites for the first time in around one and the half years. The first Test of the two-match series will be starting from Tuesday at Centurion. Bumrah, who last played a Test for India against England at Birmingham in July last year as a captain, will be playing his first Test in a long while after struggling with injuries that kept him out for much of this year.

India vs South Africa: How Has Virat Kohli Performed In Boxing Day Tests? Here's A Look At Statistics

A month after a heartbreaking ICC Cricket World Cup final loss to Australia, star India batter Virat Kohli will take to the field in whites during the first Test against South Africa in Centurion, a Boxing Day affair, on Tuesday. As it has been with Virat over the years, the weight of expectations, the cheers of fans, and the anticipation of a century or record break will be at their highest when he takes to the field. Virat has great Test stats against South Africa and in South Africa as well. In 14 Tests against the Proteas, he has scored 1,236 runs at an average of 56.18, with three tons and four fifties in 24 innings. His best score is 254 not out.

"KL Rahul's Instinct Similar To That Of MS Dhoni": Ex-India Star's Massive Comparison

The Indian cricket team, led by KL Rahul, defeated South Africa 2-1 in the ODI series that concluded on Thursday. India won the series-decider by a margin of 78 runs at Boland Park, Paarl. While speaking after the game, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opined that KL Rahul's instinct is equal to that of MS Dhoni. The cricket veteran made the comments while analysing the captaincy of the player during the series against South Africa. Rahul took some really good DRS (Decision Review System) calls from behind the stumps during the third ODI against the Proteas and Manjrekar was duly impressed with his performance.

Star All-Rounder Dropped As Harbhajan Singh Picks His India XI For 1st Test vs South Africa

Former star spinner Harbhajan Singh picked Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of all-rounder Shardul Thakur for India's upcoming Boxing Day Test clash against South Africa in Centurion. Harbhajan picked his ideal playing XI for the first Test as they look to change their bleak record on South African soil. Since 1992, India have played 23 Tests in South Africa and only won four and lost 12. Harbhajan who felt that India would need to post a competitive score of more than 400 went with a star-studded batting line-up.

"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.

Contacts

South Africa vs India Sport News

India vs South Africa 1st Test, Centurion Weather Report: Washout Threat Looms On Opening Day

India's Predicted XI vs South Africa, 1st Test: Will Ravichandran Ashwin Get A Chance?

Why Haven't India Won A Test Series In South Africa? Factors Explained

IND vs SA: How Has Jasprit Bumrah Performed In Boxing Day Tests? Here's A Look At Statistics

India vs South Africa: How Has Virat Kohli Performed In Boxing Day Tests? Here's A Look At Statistics

"KL Rahul's Instinct Similar To That Of MS Dhoni": Ex-India Star's Massive Comparison

Star All-Rounder Dropped As Harbhajan Singh Picks His India XI For 1st Test vs South Africa

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