With 1-0 up in the three-match series, India will look to continue the same momentum when they play South Africa in the 2nd Test in Johannesburg starting January 3 (Monday). Both teams will look to start the new year with a win under their belt.
Coming into this game, South Africa will miss Quinton de Kock, who announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect after the Centurion defeat. One between Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton, who have experiences of two Test matches combined, is expected to take de Kock’s place. The hosts will hope to put up a better show with the bat and back the bowlers in Johannesburg.
On the other hand, India will hope to continue the same momentum and seal the series in the next match. Virat Kohli & Co are likely to field the same playing XI with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami spearheading the pace attack while KL Rahul will be bestowed with the job of leading the side on the batting front.
Meanwhile, the spotlight will once again be on the experienced trio of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara to score runs in the middle order which is long due.
Match Details
Details: South Africa vs India, 2nd Test
Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Pitch Report
The Wanderers wicket is known to favour the batters over the last few years. However, the bowlers will reap some benefit out of the wicket with the new ball. The pitch will ease out as the game progresses.
South Africa vs India – Predicted Playing XI
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne/Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder/Duanne Olivier, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
India: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Match Prediction – Who will win the match?
The last time India and South Africa locked horns on this ground in 2018, the visiting side prevailed over the hosts beating them by 63 runs.
Virat Kohli & Co will hope to continue the winning momentum when the game kickstart next week while South Africa will hope to bounce back. However, India will enter the game as the firm favourites to win the tie and seal the series with a Test to spare.
