3 changes India must make in playing XI to win 2nd test against South Africa

A lot of questions have been raised regarding India’s playing XI selection in the first test.

Indian cricket team’s disappointing loss in Centurion is raising many questions about the team selection done by management in the first test match. Team India played with 4 seamers and one spin-bowling all-rounder at Supersport Park and yet failed to make their mark. The entire bowling line-up struggled to contain the run- flow and also big partnerships in South African innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj also didn’t get much of support from the rest of the two pace bowlers.

Team India fielded debutant Prasidh Krishna over Mukesh Kumar and Ravi Ashwin as an all-rounder over Ravindra Jadeja who was unfit, and also Shardul Thakur to accommodate a 6-5 combination. This plan failed miserably in the opening game of the series and now India will look to change their combination for the next test match as well. Let’s have a look at the mandatory changes India should look to make in their playing XI for Cape Town test.

1. Ravindra Jadeja In and Ravi Ashwin Out :

Ravindra Jadeja was unfit for the first test match in Centurion and missed the action. Ravi Ashwin was drafted into the playing XI as an all-rounder. Official update on Jadeja’s fitness and availability is yet to come, but considering Ashwin’s numbers in tests in South African wickets, it doesn’t give much of confidence giving him another go. Jadeja has been a brilliant batter in recent years and is a great all-round option for India in the Cape Town test. Ravindra Jadeja has played only one test match in South Africa so far in his career.

2. Mukesh Kumar In and Prasidh Krishna Out :

Prasidh Krishna became India’s 309th test player as he made his test debut in Centurion. He bowled 20 overs in the first test match and picked up only one wicket an conceded 93 runs at an economy rate of 4.65. Prasidh Krishna failed to get the right length to bowl at in the entire game. Mukesh Kumar showed great character in the white-ball leg of the series and he should be given a chance against South Africa in the Cape Town test starting on 3rd January.

3. Kuldeep Yadav In and Shardul Thakur Out :

India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been on a great run in white-ball cricket and played a great role in India’s many victories in the last three months. Indian team management should look to include Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the final test match of the series instead of bits and pieces player like Shardul Thakur. Kuldeep Yadav has played just 8 test matches in his career so far and has taken 34 wickets.

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