India vs South Africa 1st Test Day 1 LIVE SCORE: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma wins the toss and opts to field. While the Proteas hand debuts to Nandre Burger and David Bedingham, India do the same for Prasidh Krishna.
India vs South Africa LIVE: South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma with Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma at the toss in the first of two Tests at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Image credit: X/@BCCI
India vs South Africa 1st Test Live: Only three teams have ever won a Test series in South Africa. That honour belongs to England, Australia and Sri Lanka. India, however, do not belong to this list and it is something that they would be eager to address as a two-match series gets underway on Boxing Day. India have travelled to South Africa eight times for a Test series and lost seven of them. The closest they’ve come was in December 2010 and January 2011 when the series finished 1-1.
The next 13 days would be a great opportunity for the Men in Blue to address this record. With the pace bowling battery, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, one of the best in the world, India are in a strong position. It is a shame that Mohammed Shami, struck down by an ankle injury, will not be part of the effort.
While the bowling looks great, the batting isn’t as threatening. Yashasvi Jaiwal, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have never played a Test in South Africa before. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have a dismal batting average in the Rainbow Nation. Only anomaly from this trend is Virat Kohli whose average is 49.29 in South Africa – only behind his numbers in India and Australia.
Much focus in the home camp will be on Dean Elgar who is playing his farewell series for South Africa. Also of note and concern will be the fitness of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi who are coming off heel and ankle issues.