The IND vs SA Test series starts on December 26. Rohit Sharma’s Team India will look for their maiden Test series win in South Africa when they take on the Proteas at the Centurion Park. However, the team selection will be a cause of headache for Rohit and the team management. One of the pertaining questions doing rounds is which two pacers out of Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar will get a look in in the starting XI of the IND vs SA 1st Test?
The two pacers who are sure to start in the IND vs SA 1st Test are Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah has been a central figure and senior member of the Indian team. With no Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj will be the other leader of pace attack. However, considering the pitch will have pace and bounce, India would look to play with four seamers. But who are the other two?
Shardul Thakur
2023 hasn’t been a great year for Shardul Thakur in terms of Test matches. The all-rounder has played only two Tests in 2023, picking up three wickets. However, Shardul does provide the team with a bit of flexibility lower down the order with the bat. If Team India opt for one spinner in the form Ravindra Jadeja in their starting line-up, chances are high that Shardul will get the nod as the second all-rounder in the IND vs SA 1st Test.
Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna has made a strong case for himself in the recent months. The fast bowler, who is yet to make a debut in Test cricket, impressed with a fifer playing for India A against South Africa A earlier this month at Potchefstroom.
Prasidh, 27, bowled 18.1 overs and finished with figures of 5/43, including six maiden overs. His outswings were too much for the Proteas batters to handle. It was as if Prasidh was showing the team management what he has to offer if given a place. The management must be tempted after Prasidh’s terrific display with the ball. He is the frontrunner to be the third seamer in IND vs SA 1st Test.
Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh Kumar is someone who is fast establishing himself as one of the promising fast bowlers. The Bengal pacer has played only a single Test match till now, picking up two wickets against the West Indies in July. However, it seems like Mukesh is a little down the pecking order in the running for a place in the first XI, specially given Prasidh Krishna’s performance in India A’s match in South Africa. However, all it would take for Mukesh is a chance and a magical spell to turn the tide in his favour once again.
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