South African conditions have always been a big threat for the Indian cricketers but apart from the conditions another factor seems to have worried the Indian team and it is the latest weather reports of the Rainbow Nation.
If the accuweather reports are to be believed then rain is predicted over the next five days and needless to say it might cause several interruptions during the Boxing Day Test match. The temperature in Centurion is predicted to range between 16 and 26 degrees Celsius on Day One of the first Test match.
There is a possibility of 60 per cent rain on the first day. There is a possibility of 100 per cent rain on the second day. On the other hand, if we talk about the third and fourth days, then the weather will be clear and the whole game will perhaps be possible to be played. Apart from this, there is a possibility of rain again on the last day of the Test.
Kohli aims another record
Indian Test team under the leadership of Virat Kohli will start their South Africa tour with a three-match Test series scheduled to start on December 26. South Africa is the only nation where India are yet to record a Test series win and that is the reason the visiting team will be eager to start the series on a winning note.
“In our conversations, we have been clear. Winning in these sorts of conditions will be down to team performance. We will need contribution from everyone and that’s what the conversation we have had. It is not just about Pujara, Rahane or a Kohli," earlier India coach Rahul Dravid had said in a virtual press conference before the first Test match.
The Kohli-led team will be confident enough to clinch the Test series this time because of their latest good form in overseas Test cricket. They did exhibit a terrific show in England and Australia earlier this year.
India last toured South Africa back in 2018 where they had to face a 1-2 defeat in the Test series.
Elgar leading from the front
South Africa Test side will be led by opener Dean Elgar, who will have to show his leadership skills in order to emerge victorious. He is going to get support from batsmen like Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock. Pacer Anrich Nortje will be missing this series due to fitness trouble.
"I think it's pretty even-stevens. Us playing at home, obviously, gives us a little bit of an upper hand," Elgar previously said in a virtual press conference before the first Test.
“They are ranked no.1 in the world; we can't not look at that. That's something they have been for quite some time, in my opinion - just my being a cricket watcher and a cricket fan.
"You can't not give them the credit for what they have done over the last while. So, I am not going to sit here and say they are not the best side in the world because there's a ranking system for a reason. But the mere fact that we're playing in our backyard still gives us the upper hand going into the series,” the 34-year old added.
