Test Series: SA vs IND 2nd Test Live, Preview, Prediction, Report and Live Streaming

Team winner Prediction:

48%

INDIA

30%

Drawn

22%

South Africa

Key Points:

• India is the team with more experience available between the two and is certainly better equipped to handle crunch situations
• India are coming off a fantastic win in the first match and will be more confident of the two sides
• The absence of Quinton de Kock has made the inexperienced batting order of South Africa a little more vulnerable against the experienced Indian bowling

SA v IND Analysis:

It has just been a little over a day since the conclusion of the first test between South Africa and India, but a lot has happened in the last couple of days. India started the series as favorites and they still are, but South Africa proved that they are not too far and can be a threat in the second match of the series.

With an opportunity to win the first-ever test series on South African soil, India will take the field against South Africa in the second match of the series on 3rd January 2021. The match is to be played at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Although there wasn’t a lot of time to rest between the two matches, both sides will come out with renewed energy. We expect this match to be a lot closer than the first one and certainly not the one that you would want to miss.

Team Preview:

South Africa (SA):

South Africa exhibited many vulnerabilities against the Indians in the opening match, but there were plenty of moments of brilliance as well. With the margin of loss that was a lot lesser than what it looked like after the conclusion for the first day’s play, South Africa would know that a little more effort or a few fewer mistakes in the second match might well put them in a favorable position.

South Africa registered a 113-run loss in the opening match at Centurion, something that hasn’t happened often historically. South Africa were dismissed twice below the 200-run mark and that was one of the major reason for their defeat. Their performance certainly showed the importance of starting well, be it with the bat or ball, and they are likely to be more aggressive right from the outset in the upcoming match.

With the ball as well, the Proteas were a bit guilty of bowling outside the off-stump for the most part of the first session and that allowed Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul to get their eye in. Not all was gloomy for the Proteas, though. Once their bowlers found their rhythm back, they were all over Indian batsmen as evident from India’s collapse in the first innings and their under-par total in the second.

For reasons still unknown, Quinton de Kock has announced his retirement from the longest version of the game and his absence will certainly be felt. Not only his experience could have been handy in assessing the situations, he also looked in fine touch both the times he batted. Either Kyle Verreynne or Ryan Rickleton will come into the side to replace Quinton de Kock.

Marco Jansen was chosen ahead of Duanne Olivier in the first match and it will be interesting to see who plays in the upcoming match. We might well see both of them take the field with Keshav Maharaj sitting allowed, especially if conditions are similar to that in the first game of the series.

A number of things started to click for the Proteas as the match progressed and they certainly appear to be a better side than what they were like when the competition started. Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma were both decent with the bat and will not be easy to deal with in the upcoming match. Aiden Markram had a rather quiet game and will have a point to prove at Johannesburg. Barring de Kock’s unavailability and some inexperience in the middle, Proteas look well settled with the bat.

With the bowl, they look even better, especially with Rabada, Jansen, and Ngidi finding their rhythm. Duanne Olivier will likely be the weak link in the upcoming contest and if he is able to hold his end, South Africa should do well with the ball too. All in all, we expect South Africa to put up an improved performance in the upcoming contest and if their batsmen are able to produce the goods, South Africa will be in for business.

Likely XI: Dean Elgar (C), Aiden Makram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreyne/Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj

Please check the team once when Playing XI Announced.

India (IND):

India couldn’t have hoped for a better start to their South Africa tour. First and foremost, Virat Kohli won the toss for a change and the Indian top-order did well to prove his decision right. The match was arguably set and decided with the way India batted on the first day of the match as Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul led India’s charge. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane chipped in with useful cameos to help India close the day on a high.

Apart from the first day, there wasn’t a lot of difference between the two sides and India would know that. After the second day was washed out due to rain, Indian batting didn’t look equipped against the moving ball on the third day and were eventually dismissed for a total that was a lot less than they would have targeted after the first day.

India’s story with the bat in the second innings didn’t prove to be a lot different from their performance on the third day, but it just did the job. Batting wasn’t easy but small cameos each from KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli swelled India’s lead to more than 300, which proved to be a little too much to chase down.

Even though we expect India to walk out unchanged in the upcoming contest, there are certainly a few areas of concern that they would want to address. Chetershwar Pujara’s form hasn’t been great of late and given the position he bats at for his side, runs from his bat will be crucial. Also, India will be hoping for Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane to score more than just a cameo in the new year. Other than that, India’s batting looks good, especially with the added luxury of having Ravi Ashwin and Shardul Thakur available to bat at number seven and eight respectively.

It was an advantage for India after the first day’s play, but the match was set by India’s bowling unit. Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah both bowled to perfection and would be looking forward to Johannesburg. Mohammad Siraj was terrific in playing the role of the third bowler as he never took his foot off the gas pedal, denying any respite that the Proteas would have been hoping for. Thakur and Ashwin both did a decent job as fourth and fifth bowlers, allowing India to attack relentlessly in the quest of wickets.

On paper, India have a settled unit with almost all bases covered. On the performance front as well, India would be a very confident side walking into the second match, especially after their recent away performances, including that win in the first match. Their batting might be under a bit of scrutiny, but cameos from Pant and Rahane in the opening match would have certainly imbibed some confidence.

All in all, not only this Indian side is immaculately balanced on paper, they have momentum behind them as well. This is a chance to create history by winning the first-ever series in South Africa and will be under all sorts of pressure. If their batting manages to do well and they are able to deal with the pressure, defeating them is going to be an incredibly difficult challenge.

Likely XI: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), R. Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj

Please check the team once when Playing XI Announced.

Squads:

South Africa Squad: Dean Elgar (capt), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Aidan Markram, Viaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Irvi, Beuran Hendrix, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Norkhia, Keegan Pietersen, Rasi Van Der Dusen, Kyle Varini, Marco Janssen, Glenton Sterman, Prenellen Subrian, Sisanda Magala, Payne Richelton and Duane Olivier.

India Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Priyank Panchal, KL Rahul (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (Wicket Keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket Keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jayant Yadav , Ishant Sharma, Muhammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Muhammad Siraj.