30 September 2019, by: The Popping Crease

India v South Africa: First Test Preview

South Africa’s World Test Championship finally gets underway on Wednesday as they will embark on their Test series against current world number 1 side, India.

The Proteas have had varied success in the Test format over the past couple of years with home series wins against India and Australia, but somewhat disastrously, Test series losses to Sri Lanka both home and away.

While other Test nations have been playing the format since the World Cup, this is the Proteas first Test series since February 2019.

India meanwhile are a side that is growing in stature and skill. They possess one of the most lethal Test bowling squads in recent times with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and spin bowling options that rival none in Indian conditions, Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

India were however dealt a massive blow a week prior to the first Test, with news that key strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah was out of the series with a minor stress fracture to his back. This would have been Bumrah’s first home Test series and all eyes would have been on him to see what he can do at home. Umesh Yadav has been called up as his replacement.

India’s record in home Test matches is imposing, the last time they lost a home Test series was to England in 2012. Since then they have played 29 home Tests and won 23 of them. It is not a myth that India is the toughest place for a touring side, this is not going to be an easy task for new coach Enoch Nkwe and his men.

However, if the World Test Championship wasn’t already adding more meaning to this series, South Africa will know that if they win the series, even by a 1-0 margin, they will overtake India as the world number 1 Test side and will be the first Test team to beat India in their backyard in seven years.

Proteas captain, Faf du Plessis will have a sterner task on his hands with legendary players Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn, not at his disposal. Faf is a key player, not only as the captain but as a batsman, a player that in the current side is the best player of spin. If Faf has a good series with the bat, he can form the role AB de Villiers took, which would allow others to bat around him as he leads the batting unit.

Kagiso Rabada’s form in limited-overs cricket of late has left a lot to be desired, but Test Cricket is the ultimate format, and KG is never one to shy away from a challenge. His bowling in the recently completed T20I series would hopefully have worn away any rust he may have been feeling after a long two-month break from the game and he should be rearing to go.

The Visakhapatnam ground has hosted only the one Test since being granted Test status in 2016, between India and England which India won 246 runs. With Bumrah now unavailable for Test selection, pundits have postulated whether the pitch, which already assists spinners, will now favour spin even more.

If so, South Africa will need to go in with two spinners. Keshav Maharaj, coming off a successful county stint with Yorkshire will be full of confidence and will resume his role as South Africa’s primary Test spinner. Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthsamy are the candidates to fill the second spinner role.

With Piedt having experience in India on the 2015 tour and having more success in the South Africa A tour of India over Muthsamy, selectors might decide to go with the experience of Piedt in the final XI.

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