Team India will play against South Africa in the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday, the 3rd of January. India is currently leading the series by 1-0 and they will be the winner of the series if they register a win at Wanderers. With that win, they will also break the record of never winning a Test series in South Africa
India
Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul were a magnificent opening pair in the first test, and they are expected to show the same perseverance in this test too. On the other hand, Pujara at number three failed to score some good runs, he has become very consistent in not performing good from a long time. Kohli's test century is long overdue and fans are desperately waiting to see a century from his bat. Overall, team India has a good batting line-up along with Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur.
Bumrah and Shami bowled brilliantly in the first test. Siraj and Ashwin too did well and the team's bowling looks very stable. However , the team might add Umesh Yadav in this test.
South Africa
South Africa's batting line-up struggled in front of Indian bowlers. More than that, the sudden news of de Kock retiring from Test cricket is disappointing for the South African fans. Aidan Markram failed in to score in the first test, and he will have to do something different in this test. The team will need good performances from Keegan Peterson, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma as they failed to stay at the crease for a long time in the middle order in the first test. Kyle Verreyne will replace former wicket keeper de Kock and he will provide depth in the team's batting along with Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj.
Weather Report
The sky is expected to be cloudy in Johannesburg during the test, giving rise to the chances of precipitation. Due to that factor the ball will move a little in the first innings. Batting will be the best in the first two days of the game, and it will be difficult as the game progresses. The average first innings score at the ground is 313 runs and the first batting team will benefit from reaching the score in case of cloudy conditions.
Pitch Report
Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is the best batting surface in South Africa. The ball comes well on the bat and the batsmen have scored good on this pitch thanks to the flat surface and fast outfield. The new ball helps the fast bowlers somewhat on the surface. Spinners can make their grip on this track from day three.
Probable Playing XI for India
KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj
Probable Playing XI for South Africa
Dean Elgar (C), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreyne(wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
Key Players:
India:
Mayank Agarwal
Virat Kohli
South Africa:
Aiden Markram
Keshav Maharaj
