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With just one day to go for the Boxing Day (December 26) encounter between India and South Africa, the suspense on the playing XI is reaching its peak. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara will be optimistic for a spot in the team while the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari will also have an anxious wait as they buy for a spot in the team.
The likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal will be the first names on the sheet for the team in the batting department. Iyer who scored a hundred on Test debut has been the man in form for Team India, but the experience of Rahane against the Proteas might come in handy. But it won’t be a surprise if Iyer makes the playing XI. Now the former vice-captain, Rahane missed India’s last Test match against New Zealand.
Pujara and Vihari will also go head-to-head for a place in the team. The latter was not part of the team in the New Zealand series while the right-handed Puajara has been struggling for form. He hasn’t scored a Test ton in his last 43 innings, his last Test hundred came almost three years ago in January 2019 against Sri Lanka.
Rahul Dravid and the team management will have a good headache to have as they are determined to put together a playing XI full of match winners. On the bowling side, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will be back after being rested for the New Zealand series. Ravichandran Ashwin will be an untouchable member of the squad with 427 wickets in Test cricket.
Ishant Sharma on 311 wickets in Test cricket, could be India’s pace option but will have to fight the stern challenge of Mohammed Siraj. Shardul Thakur will also be knocking on the doors, as the recently engaged all-rounder tries to make a mark on the team. It remains to be seen what combination Team India prefers as vice-captain KL Rahul has already hinted at playing five bowlers.
India’s expected playing XI:
KL Rahul (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
