The first Test match between India and South Africa will be played
at the Jamtha stadium in Nagpur. It is a battle between the number one and the
number two teams in the world and will see them fight for top position. However,
given that only two Tests will be played between the two, it could very well get
interesting and safety first tactics may be used by the sides.
There has been only one Test match played at this venue, and that was between
India and Australia in 2008. The Indians had been runaway winners by a margin
of 172 runs despite Jason Krejza eight wicket haul on debut.
Click for Live Score Card of India vs South AfricaThe wicket should have something in it for both, the batsmen and the bowlers.
To begin with, it may not possess too much moisture to challenge the openers
of either side, and as the game will go on will aid the spinners. This means
that winning the toss and batting first becomes extremely important for both
the sides, but more so for the tourists who may find it difficult to bat against
the spinners later.
India will have a new look to the side. Two of their main guys are injured,
and in come two newer ones. While Yuvraj Singh injury and the subsequent
replacement by Murali Vijay may not give the captain too many nightmares, it
is the absence of Rahul Dravid that will be a huge blow. His place will
be taken up by S. Badrinath, who may have been a prolific scorer at the first
class level but could find the top level a different cup of tea.
The bowling could be a lot more settled for the Indian team. Zaheer Khan
and Ishant Sharma have both found their verve, whereas Harbhajan Singh should
take up the first spinner's slot. Now, all eyes will be on the captain to decide
who will partner Bhajji in the game; Amit Mishra or Prgyan Ojha. Dhoni
has shown a penchant for getting Ojha as compared to Sehwag's liking towards
Mishra, but with Mishra definitely doing a better job than Ojha, he should be
a shoo-in. Dhoni may think differently.
For the South African side, the issues of the recent times, with their selection
panel being dissolved and the resignation of the coach, it remains to be seen
how much of an effect it has. Smith has downplayed the coach fiasco, but it
is evident that any new partnership requires some time to fit in, and one hopes
that from a South African perspective, it does not affect their chances in the
game.
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