Gautam Gambhir believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be crucial for India’s batting success in the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
The series consists of two Tests, with the first match commencing in Centurion on Tuesday, December 26. India, aiming to secure their first Test series win in South Africa, is hopeful to break the streak this time.
In a conversation on Star Sports, when asked about the primary challenge for Rohit Sharma and the team in the upcoming two-match series, Gambhir replied:
“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.”
The former India opener added:
“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.”
Gambhir emphasized that, apart from Rohit and Kohli, the Indian team has a relatively inexperienced batting lineup.
He noted that Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer are set to make their Test debuts in South Africa, and there’s a possibility that KL Rahul might play as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the first time.
“The burden will also fall on two fast bowlers”- Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir believes that the Indian fast bowlers will also face pressure. He mentioned:
“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.”
The former cricketer turned commentator highlighted that the absence of Mohammed Shami due to injury means that the Indian bowling attack would have less experience. He explained:
“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.”
Anticipated as India’s primary fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely choices, while Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar might contend for the third specialist seamer position.
Shardul Thakur, along with either Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin, is expected to complete the five-pronged attack, with both spinners unlikely to play together.
India concluded the T20I series with a 1-1 draw and secured the ODI series with a 2-1 victory.
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