Final Frontier victory attracts Kohli and his men even as rain is forecast for all five days
Wanderers are shaped like bullrings. Cricketers have to climb down a long covered ladder to reach the ground.
At the same time, there is a thorn in the arena. On a favorable pitch, fast bowlers will attack you and the ball will fly away.
In many ways, the Wanderers are the soul of South African cricket.
It is here that India, already 1-0, will attempt to win the Final Frontier – the first Test series win in South Africa – when the second of three Independence Tests begins on Monday.
Read also: Despite the noise, Kohli has been brilliant in the last 20 days: Dravid
The Indians would not like to leave it for the third Test in Cape Town, which they want as an opportunity to celebrate Virat Kohli’s 100th Test.
Apart from the Proteas, India will also have to deal with the weather. Rain has been predicted for all five days of the Test, while the last two days will see rain and thundershowers.
onus on batsmen
The Indian favorites begin. He has to bat better though.
Apart from KL Rahul’s scintillating 123 in Centurion and his century partnership with Mayank Agarwal, the Indian innings lacked a strong knock.
Kohli and Rahane started but could not convert the goal. In the second innings, the Indian batting disappointed.
The visitors will face an aggressive opening combination from Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
And beanpole left-arm fast Marco Jansson can ask questions with his angle, bounce and speed.
South African pacer Duane Olivier could be included even after captain Dean Elgar announced the replacement of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
If Olivier comes in for all-rounder Viaan Mulder, the tail will get too long in an already struggling line-up.
Indian team will ask for runs from Cheteshwar Pujara. His tendency to overtake, regardless of the length of the delivery, makes him vulnerable to a variety of dismissals.
Length should dictate footwork, really the golden rule of batting. The same applies to Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli, whose brilliant cover drives are proving costly.
Firmness around the off-stump is the key to stay on South Africa’s pitches. Rahul showed it in the way he ‘dropped’ the balls and forced the frustrated fast bowlers to line and bowl according to their strength.
Building an innings in Tests is a lot about patience. You play the ball, the over and the session and things will slowly go your way.
Winning the toss, building a solid opening partnership after facing a challenging first session and posting a good first innings total is the key to success.
As the match progresses, the surface of the Wanderers may crack and batting may become more difficult; Off-spinner R Ashwin can play.
lack of confidence
Barring Elgar and Temba Bavuma, South Africa lack confidence and runs. And the Proteas are up against a high-quality pace attack that includes Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, with Shardul Thakur as back-up.
The Proteas are in dire need of a big opening partnership and run from Aiden Markram.
Kyle Wren is considered a capable batsman in place of Quinton de Kock. South Africa can also play an additional batsman in place of all-rounder Mulder.
The focus shifts to the bullring. India must be going for murder!
Teams (from):
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Priyank Panchal and Jayant Yadav.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Aiden Markram, Keegan Pietersen, Rassi van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verne, Viaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jensen, Duane Olivier, Sarel Irvi, Beuran Hendrix, George Linde, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Glenton Sturman, and Prenelan Subrayan.
Umpires: Marais Erasmus and Allahuddin Palekar; TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock; Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.
Match will start at 1.30 PM (IST),
,