It’s the final frontier and the fact that India Cricket Team haven’t won a Test series in long 31 years will definitely be on the minds of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and especially head coach Rahul Dravid. But before Team India even think of lifting the Freedom Trophy, they have to negotiate with the pace and bounce of offer. Tackling the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be the key in IND vs SA Test series. Hence, before the South Africa vs India 1st Test in Centurion, it was about getting things right against that bounce.
With new faces in the Test team to what India Team carried last time out, many are not accustomed to the pace and bounce of South African surfaces. Hence, there were some special arrangements.
IND vs SA: Special 18-yard practice
To help the Indian batters in the cause, the support staff had a special plan in India’s practice session in Centurion on Sunday. They advanced the bowling crease to 18 yards instead of usual 22 yards. And the throwdown specialists including Raghu tried to unsettle the batters. The extra pace that the shorter length of the wicket it generates helped Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma others to practice the length.
It’s still unclear whether both Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be available in the IND vs SA 1st Test. But India Cricket Team will be prepared if they do. Even without the two key pacers, South Africa could be a difficult bowling side at their own backyard.
Virat Kohli did struggle in the first few deliveries. But he took a brief pause to gather himself before returning to the crease. He looked comfortable with his batting then on.
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