On December 26, the Proteas and the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will play two Test matches at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion. Notably, following their heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final, Indian veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah will be playing for the Men in Blue for the first time.
It’s interesting to note that of the 32 Test matches played by the Proteas since 2016, they have won 24 and lost 8 of them. They haven’t drawn a match at home since then.
After 31 years, Rohit will have the opportunity to create history by taking control of the ‘last frontier,’ but he will have to contend with a strong and fit South African team captained by Temba Bavuma. In the SENA country, Indian teams have not won a series in the past, but this team, which consists of both experienced players and newcomers, will be optimistic about their possibilities.
With star players like Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan out of the picture for the first test match, the Indian team management will need to make some crucial choices. Ishan Kishan had requested to be removed from the series, Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to a finger injury, while Shami was ruled out due to an ankle ailment.
First Test between India and South Africa in 2023: Sunil Gavaskar selects the playing XI and moves Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.
Many of India’s players, particularly the batsmen, will be put to the test in South Africa. These players include Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who haven’t shown their mettle in conditions that are seaming and swinging outside of India, and young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hasn’t been a regular member of the Test side.
India and South Africa squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran (2nd Test).
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Tristan Stubbs (wk), Nandre Burger, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, David Bedingham.
Where and when can I watch the Test match between South Africa and India?
The pivotal match between South Africa and India will take place from December 26 to December 30 starting at 13:30. The Disney+ Hotstar app will offer a live stream of the important match. Star Sports will also be airing live coverage of the game.
