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.

The 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.

Tag :- Amit Mishra   India   Jason Krejza   Rahul Dravid   South Africa   Yuvraj Singh   Zaheer Khan