India vs South Africa, a Battle for Supremacy
Test Series:
1st Test: December 26-30, 2023 at SuperSport Park, Centurion
2nd Test: January 3-7, 2024 at Newlands, Cape Town
Live Streaming:
Live coverage of the series will be available on SuperSport in South Africa and Star Sports in India.
Squads Under the Microscope:
Can the Hitman sustain his incredible performance in all forms and lead the Indian innings in Rohit's magnificent form?
Ashwin and Jadeja, a fearsome duo, are the Spin Twins in tandem, and their goal is to destroy South Africa's batting on turning wickets.
Gill's Golden Opportunity: Shubman Gill has an opportunity to solidify his position at number three now that Pujara is resting.
Kohli's Rebound Curve: The King is the centre of attention. Will his vacation to London revitalise him or make him doubt his commitment?
The Kohli Dilemma:
After his unexpected visit to London during the ODI series, Virat Kohli has generated a lot of conjecture. Was it an indication of discontent with the team structure or a well-earned break? Even while the details are yet unknown, one thing is certain: India's success in the Tests depends on Kohli getting back to his previous level of play.
Given how similarly matched both sides are, this series promises to be exciting. India has a stronger batting lineup than South Africa, but South Africa has the home advantage. In terms of spin, the main contests will be between Ashwin and Maharaj and the South African pace assault versus the Indian top order.
Therefore, who will win? This cricketing show will keep you on the edge of your seat, so buckle up, gather your munchies, and tune in!
Rohit Sharma's Test cricket statistics in South Africa:
It hasn't been Rohit Sharma's best effort in Test cricket in South Africa thus far. In just four Test matches over the course of two series, he has amassed 123 runs at an average of 15.37. A summary is provided below:
Series: Two Tests, eight innings, 123 runs, HS: 47, Avg: 15.37, zero hundreds, and zero fifties in 2013–14
Basis:
- Centurion: 3 innings, 35 runs in 1 test, HS: 14, average: 11.66
- Johannesburg: 1 Test, 2 innings, 41 runs, average of 20.50, HS: 23.
- Port Elizabeth: 1 Test, 2 innings, 20 runs; average score: 10.00; height: 10.
- Durban: 1 Test, 1 inning, 27 runs; average: 27.00; HS: 27.
In South Africa, Rohit has had difficulty turning early leads into high scores; his best result to yet is just 47. He has played on surfaces that are a little bit fast and bouncy, which may not have been ideal for his stroke-making technique. Although the limited sample size makes it tough to draw firm conclusions, he hasn't performed up to his typical level thus far.
In 2021–2022, Rohit did not travel with the Indian Test team to South Africa. His first chance to raise his record in the nation since 2013–14 will come during the next Test series in South Africa (2023–24).
Virat Kohli’s Test cricket stats in South Africa:
Despite the narrative surrounding his recent collapse, Virat Kohli's Test cricket record in South Africa is rather excellent. A summary is provided below:
Overall Performance:
Matches: 7
Innings: 14
Runs: 719
Average: 51.36
High Score: 153
100s/50s: 2/3
Performance Highlights:
After Australia (53.43) and India (53.46), Kohli's average in South Africa (51.36) is the third-highest of any nation.
He has demonstrated his ability to turn beginnings into large totals by scoring two century and three fifties.
During the 2017–18 series, he hit a career-high 153 in Centurion, an important blow that contributed to India's Test victory.
With respectable averages in Johannesburg (49.50), Port Elizabeth (45.00), and Durban (40.00), Kohli has demonstrated consistency in his performance on various fields.
Challenges and Comparisons:
Although Kohli has a solid record overall, he hasn't quite attained the same level of dominance as he did in Australia in 2014–15, when he averaged 93.17.
His back ailment kept him out of both Tests on the last trip in 2021/22, which cast doubt on his recent performance in South Africa.
Virat Kohli's record in Test cricket in South Africa is still remarkable, even with his recent problems in other forms. He will be an important player for India in the forthcoming series because of his skill, temperament, and experience. The compelling plot will be to see if he can repeat his previous success or achieve even greater heights.
Given that he has had plenty of time to prepare and gather his thoughts, Kohli's journey to London is not expected to have a major effect on how well he performs in the Tests.
In the long run, his return to form will not only be vital for India's success but also for his own self-assurance and morale.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Test cricket stats in South Africa:
Across different cricketing conditions, India's best off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has seen great success. But he also needs to be commended for his feats in South Africa, where he demonstrated his ability to overcome difficult circumstances. Allow us to examine his remarkable Test cricket performance in the Rainbow Nation:
Overall Performance:
Matches: 6
Innings: 11
Overs: 329.2
Wickets: 42
Average: 20.47
Economy Rate: 2.40
5-wicket hauls: 3
Highlights and Key Points:
Of all the Test-playing countries in which Ashwin has bowled more than once, his average of 20.47 is the best. This demonstrates how well he has adjusted to the faster and more bounced pitches in South Africa compared to his own ground.
His ability to demolish batting lineups in a single day has been demonstrated by his three five-wicket hauls. His greatest scores, 7/66, came in the 2015 Freedom Trophy series in Nagpur, when he was instrumental in India's triumph.
Ashwin is a great asset for limiting runs and applying pressure because of his economy rate of 2.40, which shows off his outstanding control and discipline.
Ground-wise Breakdown:
- Centurion: 2 Tests, 4 innings, 16 wickets, Avg: 16.50, Econ: 2.28 (His most successful ground in South Africa)
Johannesburg: 1 Test, 2 innings, 8 wickets, Avg: 24.25, Econ: 2.42
- Port Elizabeth: 1 Test, 2 innings, 5 wickets, Avg: 29.80, Econ: 2.53
- Durban: 2 Tests, 3 innings, 13 wickets, Avg: 21.07, Econ: 2.49
The turning tracks that Ashwin frequently rules in India are not the same as the quick and bouncy wickets of South Africa. He must modify his approach appropriately, making better use of variants like the carrom ball and sliders.
Ashwin has the potential to become one of South Africa's all-time great spinners with more experience and success. His capacity for adaptation and learning is essential to accomplishing this.
A tribute to his talent, flexibility, and unrelenting resolve is Ravichandran Ashwin's Test cricket record in South Africa. He has become a bowling force to be reckoned with after overcoming the particular difficulties presented by the African pitches. His adventures in South Africa will certainly remain a bright spot in his storied career as he continues his quest.
Recall that statistics cannot fully express the elegance of his bowling. What really distinguishes him is his ability to outwit batsmen and generate possibilities for wicket-taking through deception and subtle variations.
Let's hope Ashwin writes more chapters in his cricketing epic and continues to work his magic on South African soil in the forthcoming Test series!
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As we prepare for this titanic battle, may the fireworks be crickets instead of firecrackers! Take pleasure in the series!
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- IND vs SA Test - Rain Dampens Day 1 in Centurion: India at 208/8
- IND vs SA - Elgar Stands Firm, But Can He Conquer Centurion?
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