Team India suffered a humiliating innings and 32 runs victory in the first Test match at SuperSport Park, Centurion. It was a disappointing outing as the Indian team posted 245 runs in the first innings as KL Rahul scored a superb century.
The second Test match also supports the bowlers which will be a test for Indian batters. It was a disappointing outing by Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur. Ravindra Jadeja will make a comeback into the playing XI.
Indian team does not have a great record in Cape Town with 4 losses and 2 draws from 6 matches. They need to produce an all-round effort to level the series at 1-1, gaining 12 points in the 2023-25 ICC Test championship cycle.
Here we look at the 3 Indian players key to winning the 2nd Test match:
- Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli looked impressive in both innings of the first Test match at SuperSport Park, Centurion. He showed intent with the Indian team lost wickets initially. It was a good attacking display before the lunch break before he was dismissed after the lunch break.
With the Indian team struggling in the 2nd innings, Kohli showed his class and kept hitting attacking shots. He was the last batter to be dismissed for a well-made 76. The Indian team would be hoping that Virat Kohli comes up with a brilliant knock in the 2nd Test match and help to level the series at 1-1.
He played a gritty knock of 79 runs in the 3rd Test in January 2022. The onus will be on Kohli to produce brilliant innings against Rabada, Jansen and other South African pace bowlers.
- KL Rahul
KL Rahul showed his class with a special century in the first innings of the first Test match at Centurion. He looked impressive with wickets falling on the other end. He showed class smashing the South African pace bowlers and completing brilliantly. Rahul was the final batter to be dismissed for 101 and helped India post a decent total.
He would be looking to prove his worth again coming at number 6. The conditions at Cape Town would help the pacers and will be hoping to prove his worth with another great innings that would help the Indian team to win the match easily levelling the series at 1-1.
- Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah made a comeback into the Test team after a long time. He showed his class with a superb spell of bowling. His bowling troubled South African batting and kept them under pressure.
Bumrah dismissed Zorzi and Keegan Petersen in quick succession. He bowled with great control but could not pick wickets on the 2nd day. The premier pace bowler got rid of Kagiso Rabada and Burger to finish with figures of 4 for 69 in 26.4 overs.
His role will be important to pick early wickets with new ball and also keep the scoring under check. Bumrah would look to damage the top order of South Africa helping Team India register victory to level the series at 1-1.
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