SA vs IND 2017-18: Key battles to watch out for

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Internet Desk: The Men in Blue will play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa which is set to start from January 5 at the Cape Town. The main battle will definitely happen between Indian batsmen and the Proteas bowlers on a fast and bouncy wickets in South Africa. Here we will discuss about five key battles that would happen during India’s tour of South Africa.

Virat Kohli vs Dale Steyn

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Newly married, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli is going the the form of life in all three formats of the game. He just scored the half centuries of century last month during India’s Test series against Sri Lanka and his form would be the key for the visitors to win series. On the other hand veteran pacer Dale Steyn is set to play a Test match against Zimbabwe after a gap of more than one year as the selectors have called him back again ahead of the India series. If Steyn can bowl with his good old pace the battle between Kohli and Steyn would be a treat to watch.

Read More: Looking back at 2017 | Top 10 moments in Indian cricket

Hashim Amla vs Mohammad Shami

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Hashim Amla has an astonishing Test record against India. He has played 18 matches against the Men in Blue where he scored 1325 runs with an avarage of 45.68. The star batsman has five centuries and four half-centuries against them. India’s star Mohammad Shami has a lot of pace in his bowling and he is going through a red hot form. India skipper Virat Kohli had already said that according to him Shami is in top three bowlers in the world. If the star pacer from Bengal manage to keep is line tight on the fast pitches in South Africa, he would definitely put Amla in trouble.

Cheteshwar Pujara vs Vernon Philander

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After Rahul Dravid’s retirement Pujara has been performing really well for the side at home as well as the overseas. The team will be heavily relying on him as he always gives stability to the middle order. Pujara has a good record on the Proteas soil as well as his brilliant century in the first Test during India’s last tour has always been regarded as on of his best knocks at overseas. On the other hand Vernon Philander’ s swing bowling on a South African wicket may put Pujara in trouble. The whole cricket fraternity is eagerly waiting to see this battle of supremacy.

Dean Elgar vs Umesh Yadav

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Elger is going through a great run since England series where he scored a brilliant ton at the Oval back in July, he also hit two back to back tons against Bangladesh. His form against the Indians would be the key. For India, Umesh Uadav’s raw pace would be the medicine to stop Elger. Umesh is not going through that kind of form but it would be a great opportunity for him get back in form on a wicket which always helps bowlers.

Read More: Seven cricketers who have hit six sixes in an over

Murali Vijay vs Kagiso Rabada

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Vijay was out of the Indian cricket team for some time due to an injury, but after returning in the first XI in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan during the second Test against Sri Lanka, the star batsman hit back to back centuries to help his side winning the series 1-0. His cool and calm nature on the middle will definitely be needed in South Africa, but star South African pacer Kagiso Rabada may put the Indian opener in trouble at the start of the innings on a pitch which helps the fast bowlers.