Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India’s dreams of winning their first Test series in South Africa suffered a setback as their inexperienced pace attack struggled in Centurion, and the batsmen succumbed meekly. South Africa, keen on maintaining their unbeaten record against India at home, is now focused on a clean sweep. The New Year Test will serve as a fitting farewell for captain Dean Elgar, leading in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma.
Both teams made a few changes in their playing XI for the second test. As expected, a fit-again Ravindra Jadeja replaced Ravichandran Ashwin. The veteran off spinner was dropped along with Shardul Thakur who has been poor in the first test at Centurion. Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar replaced Shardul.
For South Africa, Tristan Stubbs replaced captain Temba Bavuma while Lungi Ngidi comes in for injured Gerald Coetzee.
India’s dreams of winning their first Test series in South Africa suffered a setback as their inexperienced pace attack struggled in Centurion, and the batsmen succumbed meekly. South Africa, keen on maintaining their unbeaten record against India at home, is now focused on a clean sweep. This would serve as a fitting farewell for captain Dean Elgar, leading in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma.
In positive news for India, Ravindra Jadeja, recovering from an upper back spasm, is back in the playing XI, while veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin faces exclusion after managing only 1 wicket in 19 overs in the previous match.
As South Africa remains an unconquered territory for India in red-ball cricket on African soil, Rohit Sharma’s team aims to level the series with a win in Cape Town after their disappointing defeat in Centurion.