SA vs IND: India Playing XI vs South Africa, 1st Test, 2023 - Predicted

India will take on South Africa in the first test at Supersport in Centurion.

Team India are getting ready to take on Proteas for a 2-match test series. Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will be looking to create history in the upcoming series starting on Boxing Day. India have so far failed to win a test series in South Africa and this is the only frontier they are left to breach. In 2021-22, India started nicely in the series with a win in Centurion and then lost the final two games.

India suffered a few massive injury setbacks in their squad as pace bowler Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the entire tour due to an ankle injury while wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan opted out of the tour due to ‘mental fatigue’. It will be a tough task for India to chart out their perfect playing XI for the first test considering the big challenge against the hosts. Let’s have a look at the predicted playing XI.

1 . Rohit Sharma (C) :

Captain Rohit Sharma will be coming back into the action and will lead the side against South Africa. Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the previous South Africa tour due to an injury, but this time as a leader of the squad he will have a big responsibility on his shoulders and a big role to play in the playing XI. Rohit has played 4 test matches in South Africa and scored only 123 runs.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal :

The young left-hand opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has already made his test debut for India in their previous red-ball tour to West Indies. Jaiswal has played 2 test for India and scored 266 runs at an average of 88.66 and Jaiswal will be having a huge expectations to deal with in their next assignment. He did well for India in their white-ball campaign in the ongoing tour.

3. Shubman Gill :

Shubman Gill will take up the number 3 spot in India’s batting-order after Cheteshwar Pujara was discarded from the playing XI due to persistent poor run with the bat. Shubman Gill has played only 3 matches so far at this position and scored only 92 runs in 4 innings. Gill will be once again trusted as top-order batter in the 2-match test series against South Africa.

4. Virat Kohli :

Among the current generation, Virat Kohli is the only batter with a good amount of experience of playing in bouncy South African pitches. Virat has played 7 test matches for India and has scored 719 runs at an outstanding average of 51.35 and with 2 magnificent centuries. Virat Kohli was leading Indian squad when they last came to South Africa for test series.

5. Shreyas Iyer :

This will be the biggest challenge for right-hand batter Shreyas Iyer in his red-ball career. So far he has played 9 out of 10 test matches in sub-continent soil. 7 in India and 2 in Bangladesh. Shreyas Iyer will be taking the big role in India’s middle-order replacing Ajinkya Rahane who was India’s number 5 in India’s last tour.

6. KL Rahul (WK) :

KL Rahul will be taking up the new role in Indian test playing XI. Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has given a major hint with one of his statement that KL Rahul will be wearing the gloves for the first time in test format. Rahul has done brilliant job as wicket-keeper in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Rahul has played 5 test matches for India in South Africa and has also scored a century.

7. Ravindra Jadeja :

Ravindra Jadeja will be India’s all-rounder for the upcoming 2-match test series against South Africa. He is closing in on a few milestone as well. Jadeja needs 196 runs to complete 3000 test runs. Jadeja has not played enough in South Africa but his splendid run in the limited overs will give him an opportunity to play his second test in South Africa.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin :

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is just 11 wickets away from becoming the 9th bowler to pick up 500 test wickets. Ashwin will be taking charge as leading spin bowler in the playing XI. Ravi Ashwin has played 6 test matches for India in South African conditions and managed to pick up only 10 wickets. Ashwin will be looking to better these numbers in his last South African tour.

9. Jasprit Bumrah :

South Africa is happy hunting venue for right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah. India’s ace pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah began his test career against South Africa in 2018 at Newlands Stadium. Bumrah has had wonderful performances in South African soil and has picked up 26 wickets in 6 matches. Bumrah will be leading the charge of India’s pace attack.

10. Mohammed Siraj :

Right-arm pace bowler Mohammed Siraj was part of India’s squad in their previous tour and played 2 test matches in that series. Siraj has been a consistent performer for India in 2023 across formats and earned his spot in priority for the first test match at Supersport Park in Centurion. Siraj will be accompanying Jasprit Bumrah with the new-ball.

11. Mukesh Kumar :

Mohammed Shami’s injury has opened the door for Mukesh Kumar in Indian playing Xi. Mukesh made his international debut in West Indies tour. Mukesh has played only one test and picked up 2 wickets. He was part of the recently concluded 3-match T20I and ODI series against South Africa and bowled a few brilliant spell.

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