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India prepares to take on South Africa in the 1st Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion, commencing on December 26. With both teams eyeing success in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, the anticipation is sky-high for an enthralling clash.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India stands atop the WTC points table with an impressive Points Percentage System (PCT) of 66.67. Bolstered by the return of key stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian side seeks to maintain its stellar performance. With prior series triumphs, they aim to sustain their dominance in the test arena.
South Africa welcomes back their pace-bowling trio—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Gerald Coetzee—hoping to leverage their strengths. These formidable pacers fortify the bowling unit, presenting a substantial challenge to India’s batting lineup.
Date: Tuesday, December 26
Time: 1:30 pm IST, with sessions from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, 4:10 pm to 6:10 pm, and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Venue: SuperSport Park Stadium, Centurion
Live Streaming and TV Info: Star Sports network, Disney+ Hotstar app and website
SuperSport Park’s pitch typically favors pace bowlers, promising a surface conducive to seam and bounce from Day 1. The challenging conditions are expected to dominate the initial play, favoring the pace attack, although batters could capitalize on an older ball.
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar
Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreyne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi
WK: KL Rahul
BAT: Virat Kohli, Dean Elgar, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma
ALL: Ravindra Jadeja, Marco Jansen
BOWL: Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj, Keshav Maharaj
The opening day anticipates persistent rain and thunderstorms, possibly delaying the start. However, Day 2 may see clearer skies with intermittent cloud cover and a 25% chance of rain. Light showers might disturb the initial session on Day 3, but clearer conditions are expected later. Rain might play spoilsport on Days 4 and 5, with a 60% chance of precipitation.