India, who defeated South Africa 2-1 in the ODI series, will now play a two-match Test series starting on Tuesday, December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Both teams will be vying for vital points in this two-match contest that is a part of the World Test Championship Cycle 2023–25. Captain Rohit Sharma will also make his comeback during the series, taking the field for the first time since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
India, which has made eight efforts to win a series in South Africa, is particularly eager to cross their last frontier this time around. Former cricketer AB De Villiers believes that, despite the absence of Mohammed Shami, India has the best opportunity to win a series in South Africa to date because of their potent pace attack.
The Indian team has the best chance of winning a series when it arrives in South Africa. Their fast bowlers may now bowl ‘the line’ instead of just hitting the length for the first time. Despite India’s long history, very few of your fast bowlers were line bowlers. However, you now have Siraj and Bumrah. Yes, I think there is a significant difference when Mohammed Shami doesn’t play.
The Hindustan Times cited AB de Villiers as saying, “But South African bowlers bowl from off to leg stump, while Siraj and Bumrah are bowlers who can bowl line.”
A family emergency forces Virat Kohli to return home before the first Test.
Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli has returned home ahead of the series because of a family emergency, but he should be back in time for the opening Test. India’s batting lineup lacks experience, with just skipper Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja having batted in South Africa before. If Kohli fails to make a comeback, it will be a major setback for the team.
With one win from two matches and a points percentage of 66.67%, India is presently leading the WTC Cycle 2023–25 points standings. South Africa, on the other hand, will participate in their first match of this cycle.
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