IND vs SA 1st Test: Ahead of the Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa from December 26, Sunday at SuperSport Park in Centurion, former South Africa captain Ali Bacher has has hailed the pace attack of the Virat Kohli-led side. Calling India’s pace attack “the best he has seen in last 30 years”, Bacher reckoned that India start the tournament as favourites. Follow India vs South Africa live updates on InsideSport.IN.
IND vs SA 1st Test: Former South Africa captain declares India’s pace attack ‘best in last 30 years’
“The first two Tests are to be played in Centurion, which is nearly 5000 feet above sea level and the Wanderers, Johannesburg which is nearly 6000 feet above sea level. The rarefied atmosphere at these two Test grounds plus the fast bouncy pitches at the Wanderers and Super Sport Park generally favour fast bowlers. The current Indian team has the best pace attack I have seen in the past thirty years. Therefore, India will start as favourites for the first two Test matches,” Bacher told News 18.
Will India Play with 5 specialist Bowlers in Centurion?
The SuperSport Park is known to aid the bowlers with pace and bounce and rain is the forecast for the first three days. Under the overcast conditions, India must be mulling to enter the match with five specialist bowlers. However, head coach Rahul Dravid refrained from revealing the bowling combination during the pre-match press conference on Saturday. Dravid asserted that the final playing XI will be revealed at the toss.
Shardul Thakur seen batting in nets on Friday
In the pictures shared by the BCCI from the final practice session ahead of the first Test, Shardul Thakur was seen getting indulge in rigorous batting sessions alongside his coach and captain. If that hints towards something, India will have four pacers and a specialist spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin. Shardul Thakur will most probably play the role of the fourth pacer. In this scenario India will be able to play six specialist batsmen including Rishabh Pant.
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2021
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are confirmed choices, while there is a toss up between Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma with the former having an edge.
IND vs SA 1st Test: Former South Africa captain declares India’s pace attack ‘best in last 30 years’
