IND vs SA: South Africa play intra-squad match; Check pics

IND vs SA Test: South Africa intra-squad match: The last time Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada played red-ball cricket, was back in June 2021. In the last six months, South Africa have only played T20Is and ODIs. The only red-ball practice they have had was in the now-suspended 4-day series. But as the Test squad hasn’t played together on many occasions, they played an intra-squad practice match to prepare for the three-match Test series against Virat Kohli & Co. Follow India Tour of South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.

For the first time in 29 years, South Africa are underdogs at home in a Test series. India are the World No 1 Test team. The Proteas have been a team in the transition while Virat Kohli & Co have won in Australia, West Indies and are leading in England. Their fast bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj — have been in great form while KL Rahul has regained his red-ball form.

IND vs SA Test: Underdogs at home, South Africa play intra-squad match to prepare for Virat Kohli & Co – Check pics

Also Read: India Playing XI vs SA: One place four contenders, Virat Kohli torn between Rahane, Iyer, Shardul and Hanuma for 1st Test

The #Proteas got some mileage under their belts as they got some time in the middle during a intra-squad match 🏏 #SAvIND #BetwayTestSeries #FreedomSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/08Ba56jhMg

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 20, 2021

IND vs SA Test: Underdogs at home, South Africa play intra-squad match to prepare for Virat Kohli & Co – Check pics

Against such a strong team, South Africa are on the backfoot. The team has had a poor run at home and away, losing three home series in the last four. After losing big stars in Faf du Plessis, Hasim Amla amongst others, under Dean Elgar’s captaincy, South Africa are aiming for a resurgence on the field.

Rassie van der Dussen and the #Proteas are geared up for the challenge💪🇿🇦

📲 Head to the APP for his thoughts ahead of the #BetwayTestSeries opener.#SAvIND #FreedomSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/2PA1RAXyQ2

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 21, 2021

Their aces will be the fast bowling line-up including Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier all have been in great form. Olivier bagged 28 wickets in the 4-day tournament while Anrich Nortje has already troubled Indian batters in the IPL with his express speed.

Furthermore, with damp weather and grassy wicket, the pacers will be eager to get the 20 wickets and win. Proteas star batsman Rassie van der Dussen said the team is eager to play the World No 1 Test team. The team had to cancel the practice session on Tuesday due to rain.

India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara earlier sent a warning to South Africa team saying they have enough firepower to bowl out the hosts twice in a match.

IND vs SA Test: Underdogs at home, South Africa play intra-squad match to prepare for Virat Kohli & Co – Check pics

Also Read: IND vs SA: R Ashwin’s big revelation: ‘I contemplated retirement, people were insensitive towards my injuries’

“Our fast bowlers are our strength (in South Africa) and I hope they can utilise the conditions and give us 20 wickets in each test match. We would not think too much about whether we have the upper hand or not. We will try and stick to our game-plan and our processes, and the things we need to do to be successful in South Africa,” Cheteshwar Pujara said.

South Africa Squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice captain), Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen. Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.

IND vs SA Test: Underdogs at home, South Africa play intra-squad match to prepare for Virat Kohli & Co – Check pics

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