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Former India skipper Gautam Gambhir emphasised the major challenge India will encounter in their upcoming Test series against South Africa. He said that seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be under pressure to deliver strong performances. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, is set to compete against South Africa in a two-match series. The opening Test is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 26, at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The visiting Indian team will look to notch their first Test series win in South Africa.
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In a conversation with Star Sports, Gambhir pointed out that India’s batting would face a tough test in the series, mainly due to the formidable South African bowling attack. He also remarked that the current South African batting lineup is not as formidable as it was back in 2011.
"Pace, bounce and seam. I believe your batting will definitely be under pressure because South Africa probably do not have the same batting they had in 2011 but their bowling still has the might – (Kagiso) Rabada, (Gerald) Coetzee, (Nandre) Burger, and Marco Jansen,” Gambhir told Star Sports.
“I believe the pressure will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli because they have that experience. Bowlers definitely win you the series in South Africa but if your batters don’t put runs on the board, you won’t be able to create pressure for your bowlers,” he said.
Rohit doesn't have a good track record in South Africa as he has amassed just 123 runs across four Tests with an average of only 15.37. On the other hand, Kohli boasts a remarkable record in Test cricket, accumulating 719 runs in seven Tests at an impressive average of 51.35, including two centuries and three fifties.
Gambhir underscored the strength of India's bowling lineup as a key factor to challenge South Africa on their home turf. The ex-Indian opener also pointed out the burden on the younger fast bowlers, especially given Mohammed Shami's absence.
“A good series is expected because India also have the bowling which will test the South African batting in their conditions. The pressure will be on two fast bowlers as well. Along with Jasprit Bumrah, it will be the first (second) tour for Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, if he plays,” Gambhir noted.
“So don’t talk about the batting only, the bowling will be under as much pressure, because there will be expectations from bowling. If Mohammed Shami had been there, India would have been all-out favorites. Mohammed Siraj is still young. So I believe your bowling will be tested as much as your batting,” he concluded
Shami will miss the two-match Test series against South Africa due to an ankle injury. The experienced fast bowler has an outstanding record in South African Test matches, capturing 35 wickets in 8 games with an average of 23.23. Nonetheless, Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the pace attack, and Mohammed Siraj is likely to be a definite inclusion in the starting lineup. Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna are competing for the position of the third seam bowler. Additionally, there's a possibility that Shardul Thakur may be chosen over off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Meanwhile, recently the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on December 23 officially announced that young batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out from the Test series against South Africa. The 26-year-old right-handed batter suffered an injury during the ODI series against South Africa, which has led to his withdrawal from the Test squad. Another 26-year-old batter Abhimanyu Easwaran has been named as Gaikwad's replacement.
India's Test squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat, Abhimanyu Easwaran.
South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.
The Schedule
1st Test, Centurion - 26-30 December
2nd Test, Cape Town - 3-7 January (2024)
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