Captain Rohit Sharma is seen throughout a observe session forward of the first Test towards South Africa on December 24, 2023
| Photo Credit: PTI
India go in search of history after they face hosts South Africa in two assessments beginning in Pretoria on December 26, hoping to assert a first ever series victory in a rustic the place they’ve come shut earlier than solely to fall agonisingly quick.
South Africa have been victors in seven of India’s eight visits for the reason that first in 1992 with one series drawn in 2010/11, however six of these successes have been by a single win margin.
The vacationers could now really feel they’ve by no means had a greater probability. This South African facet doesn’t have the expertise and high quality with bat and ball of these of years passed by, and their high six in specific could be brittle.
They additionally face late health assessments for key quick bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, who might be a handful on what is anticipated to be a vigorous Centurion Park pitch in the first test, earlier than the tour strikes to Newlands in Cape Town for the second fixture from Jan. 3.
“If it was possible to make this even bigger, the fact that India have never won here does that,” South Africa coach Shukri Conrad stated. “We certainly want to hold on to that proud record.
“There are so many matchups that this series hinges on. It’s two assessments, so it is excessive strain. You go 1-0 down and you may’t win the series. You go 1-0 up, you may’t lose. It’s going to be like a heavyweight boxing bout.”
India have some injured absentees but remain a formidable side with back-to-back series successes in Australia giving them the belief they can conquer this particular Everest.
Leading seamer Mohammed Shami is not fit, while batter Ruturaj Gaikwad is also out with an injured finger. Virat Kohli flew home for personal reasons this week, but is expected to be back for the first test.
Quite remarkably, South Africa have not drawn a test at home since a rain-affected game against New Zealand in 2016, a run of 32 matches that has yielded 24 wins and eight defeats.
That is testament to the steady weather, positive cricket they play and the pitches, which are among the most challenging in the world for batters with swing, seam and spin all generally on offer through the five days.
“It is a difficult place to bat; the statistics will inform you that,” India coach Rahul Dravid told Star Sports. “Every one of many batters can have a sport plan as to how they need to go, and so long as they’re clear about it they usually decide to it and are practising in direction of that, that is high-quality.
“We don’t expect everyone to play in the same way. We want them to be very clear about what works for them, and then be able to execute that.”
