After a successful home season, winning 37 matches of all formats of cricket in 2017, the Indian team is headed to South Africa for three-match test series starting from 5th January expected to face a tough challenge.
But it is believed by many cricket experts that this is the best Indian team fully equipped with all basics including top quality batting, all-rounders, genuine spinners, a battery of pacers for the first time ever in Indian cricket and an aggressive captain who is leading from the front.
It promises to be a mouth-watering clash between top two test teams of the world. India has won only 2 test matches in South Africa. Their best result came in 2010/11 when they drew the series 1-1.
Here we look at the 5 reasons why this Indian test team could win test series in South Africa
- Potential pace attack
India, a traditionally spinners dominated cricketing team is going with 5 good quality battery of pace attack into the 3 match test series against South Africa. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are the strike bowlers. All of them can trouble the South African batsmen with individual specific special skills.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the most dangerous bowler who can swing the new ball both ways and bowl stump to stump. His ability to create pressure could be vital. Umesh Yadav bowls fast reaching a pace of 135-140 km/ hr. and can trouble the batsmen on pace favorable pitches.
Ishant Sharma the most experienced bowler in the team also powered with pace but needs to bowl well stump to stump and use the advantage of his height to bowl bouncers to intimidate the batsmen and take wickets. Jasprit Bumrah known for his ability to bowl Yorkers who has done well in limited overs format has been called into the team. His ability to surprise the batsmen with awkward action could be included in the playing XI. Mohammad Shami is another quality pace bowler who focuses on good line and length, surprise the batsmen with speed, pace, and bounce. Pandya will also be a value-add for the pace attack.
If the conditions help pacers, then whoever 3-4 play in 11 could trouble the South African batsmen and help India win matches.
- Enhanced all-rounders in the team
Since making his test debut in 2017, Hardik Pandya has been decent enough with the bat also. He has scored 1 half century and 1 century. Now the big question arises if the team management decides to play him as the 5th bowler, he must give Virat Kohli 10 to 15 overs a day and also take important wickets. Against top quality pace attack, Hardik Pandya must adapt to the pace and bounce of the pitch. In 2017 bowlers like Ashwin, Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have also been contributing with the bat.
Hardik Pandya and others give the most needed balance to Indian team who can bowl to trouble the South African batsmen and also contribute with the bat.
- Top order needs to play new ball
The Indian team has 3 top order opening batsmen in the squad. Murali Vijay who has a good record in South Africa is a certainty with his ability to leave outgoing balls and play according to the merit of the ball. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul are other two openers with sound basics and experience to face bouncers and pace bowling. The Indian openers are expected to be troubled by Rabada, and manage to face Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Philander who are top quality pace bowlers.
If the openers can give a solid start by playing first one hour to the Indian team, then the middle order can help to post competitive totals.
- Strong middle order batsmen
If the Indian openers get off to a good start, then number 3, Pujara followed by the Indian captain Virat Kohli, Ajiyanka Rahane, Rohit Sharma or Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha, Ashwin are well equipped and in-form batsmen. Even if any three of them contribute valuable runs to help team India post a competitive total to put pressure on the South African batting line up.
The senior batsmen like Kohli, Pujara and Rahane must play with positive intent creating pressure on the South African bowling line up.
- Quality spinners
With a world ranking of being no 3 and 4 Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja respectively are should focus on bowling long spells. The pitches in South Africa would not help spinners. It is expected that only one of them may be included in playing XI.
Both of them need to bowl well and also control the run flow whenever an opportunity is given. In 2017, Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 64 wickets while Jadeja ended the year with 62 wickets.