Newlands, Cape Town is all set to kick-start the freedom series between India & South Africa, which appears as the most anticipated fiery contest for Indian fans.Indian team led by Virat Kohli arrived in South Africa a week before the series for their preparation camp.Most players boarded the flyte along with their family members & welcomed the new year 2k18 in African Islands.As the sun failed to show outdoors, Indian team were forced to practice indoors & chill up with the dishes cooked in Sun-foil oil.
Stats so far…
India was the first country to visit South Africa, after their re-admission into international cricket post the apartheid era.1992-93 was called the historic series as Sachin became the first player to be given out by the third umpire & Omar Henry at the rip age of 40 became the oldest player ever to make a test debut.India tasted their first win in the South African soil in 2006 series under the leadership of Rahul Dravid in Wanderer, Johannesburg-thanks to Sreesanth’s 5-wicket haul and Ganguly’s hard-fought 51 in his comeback match.Lightning also struck twice, when India defeated Proteas for the second time under the leadership of Captain Cool in 2010, Durban.Sachin Tendulkar was the standout man in that series as he raced to his 50th test century.
Leading run-scorer:
For India:1161 runs by Sachin Tendulkar from 15 matches.
For South Africa:974 runs by Jacques Kallis from 9 matches.
Leading wicket-taker:
For India:45 wickets by Anil Kumble from 12 matches
For South Africa:40 wickets by Allan Donald from 7 matches.
Leading wicket-keeper:
For India:19 dismissals by MS Dhoni from 7 matches
For South Africa:41 dismissals by Mark Boucher from 8 matches.
Highest total:
For India:459/10 at Centurion in 2010
For South Africa:620/4d at Centurion in 2010
Lowest total:
For India:66 at Durban in 1996
For South Africa:84 at Johannesburg in 2006
Highest Individual scores:
For India:169 by Sachin Tendulkar at Cape Town in 1997.
For South Africa:201* by Jacques Kallis at centurion in 2010.
What to look out for-India:
This is the “most balanced” Indian Test side to ever board a flight to South Africa was quoted by the chief national selector MSK Prasad.The No:1 side, flying on cloud nine with nine successive series win is sure to be tested in bouncy-pacy tracks against No:2 side(Proteas) when they lock horns.2k18 is going to test Virat’s captaincy skills as he is going to face an overseas challenge for next 24 months after a successful home season.Last time, when India won a test match in South Africa, many players in the current line-up have not made their debut.So, it will be a great test of patience to leave the ball outside-off & a strong will of determination to face the speedsters for youngsters.India also has strengthened their pace spearheads equally to match that of Proteas bowling attack to turn this series into a fiery-contest.India also has an advantage of a young bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya who is a recent sensation in the Indian team.Many former players have also praised & compared him to that of Kapil Dev.He balances the squad, which India lacked in the past series.Also to add, Rahane has a sturdy average in Overseas conditions.India also needs contribution from the tail-handers to boost their chance of winning.
Key players: Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma
X-Factor: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
Injury concerns: Mohammad Shami
Also Sir Ravindra Jadeja, likely to miss the first test due to Viral fever.
My Probable X1 for the first test:-
1)Murali Vijay 2)KL Rahul 3)Cheteshwar Pujara 4)Virat Kohli(C) 5)Ajinkya Rahane(VC) 6)Hardik Pandya 7)Wriddhiman Saha(Wk) 8)Ravi Ashwin/Bumrah 9)Bhuvaneshwar Kumar 10)Ishant Sharma 11)Mohammad Shami/Umesh Yadav
Virat Kohli would like to start 2k18 on a fresh note after being rested for the Sri Lankan series due to his wedding.He is no more a poster boy and is a family man now.So, there is a saying that “with great power comes great responsibility” ……Virushka has been a recent talk of the town in Social media, paper, web etc…referring the couple to that of an F.R.I.E.N.D.S series character Mondler-Wishing them a very happy married life.
Will Virat Kohli create a history by winning a series in South Africa ending the long 25-year wait ..? or will he too eat the dust like other Indian Captains?India needs to play out of their skin to turn the pressure back on Proteas.They also have to learn playing the new ball well and patience to leave the ball outside off. India needs to adapt to the South African pitches & conditions early, else there is no surprise that there is a white-wash awaiting for them.
“Well begun is half done“, So if India makes a strong start to the series going 1-0 up -it boosts huge confidence to the entire squad & management & also a statement to the South Africans, that we are here to create a history.#Bleed blue..
Stay tuned until tomorrow for further updates.Until then it’s Amithrayvon greeting off with New year wishes for everyone.
Jammybing 