After a disheartening innings defeat in the opening Test, the Indian cricket team faces an uphill battle, as they gear up to square off against South Africa in the second Test at Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium, starting on Wednesday (January 3).
Having convincingly won the first Test, South Africa currently leads the series 1-0.
Newlands, among the world’s most picturesque venues, has been a nightmare for India, having lost all six Test matches played there. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s men will have to play out of their skins to overcome South Africa on this ground.
The Indian batters stumbled against the formidable South African attack in Centurion. Although the absence of Gerald Coetzee due to injury at Cape Town offers a glimmer of hope, the likes of Nandre Burger and Kasigo Rabada, who troubled them in Centurion, remain threats on the seam-friendly Cape Town surface. The addition of Lungi Ngidi further bolsters the South African pace attack, ready to challenge the Indian batting lineup again.
Apart from KL Rahul’s counter-attacking century in the first innings, India lacked a collective effort from players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.
Virat Kohli, who managed a half-century in the second innings of the first Test, will look to build on that momentum.
In terms of bowling, the underwhelming debutant Prasidh Krishna might make way for Madhya Pradesh seamer Avesh Khan, eyeing his Test debut after replacing pacer Mohammed Shami. Additionally, the management might opt to rest seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in favor of left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, considering Jadeja’s batting prowess.
Vice-Captain and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah must be at his best to contain South Africa’s skipper Dean Elgar, who displayed exceptional form with a score of 185 in the first Test. Mohammed Siraj and the versatile bowler Shardul Thakur need to provide crucial support.
With the relatively inexperienced South African batting lineup, all eyes will be on Dean Elgar, set to play his final Test after announcing his retirement. While South Africa aims for a potential whitewash, India looks to salvage pride and level the series.
Notably, India has never secured a Test series victory in South Africa.
The 2nd Test match between India and South Africa will begin at 2 PM IST on Wednesday. The toss will take place at 1.30 PM.