2023 is over and so do the disappointments. In the new year, the India Cricket Team aim to begin on a positive note, breaching Cape Town fortress where they have never won. With India trailing 0-1 in the SA vs IND Test series, Rohit Sharma & Co need to address a few shortcomings to breach that fortress. The first is Ravindra Jadeja who will return to India Playing XI in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. The other option is likely to be Mukesh Kumar. But who he replaces in the South Africa vs India 2nd Test remains the question.
However, Rohit Sharma did not want to reveal his plans for India Playing XI, adding that it was not finalised.
“Look I have honestly not thought a lot (on team selection) though we have had a brief chat with the management and the coaching staff. We have not completely finalised out Playing XI. Everyone is available for selection as there are no injury concerns,” Rohit Sharma said in the pre match press conference.
It was the Indian bowling attack that lacked the edge on a difficult pitch. Prasidh Krishna had a torrid debut while Shardul Thakur wasn’t very helpful from the other end either. It was left to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to carry the wicket-taking burden. That has to change.
Jadeja vs Ashwin
Team India had to go with Ashwin in the 1st Test as Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out due to a back spasm. However, despite his Test centuries, Ashwin at No 7 means India are a weaker batting unit. With Jadeja back in India Playing XI, that won’t be the case anymore.
And with Cape Town not offering great assistance to the spinners, going with two spinners won’t be a requirement. Hence, Ashwin will warm the bench while Jadeja returns to India Playing XI for 2nd Test.
Jadeja vs Ashwin in SENA countries
| Player | Inn | Wckts | Best | Wickets in SA | Runs scored |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 35 | 52 | 6/138 | 6 | 932 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 43 | 71 | 4/55 | 11 | 854 |
Who goes out for Mukesh Kumar?
During India’s optional practice session in Centurion after losing the first Test in three days, a lot of focus was on Mukesh Kumar. The Bengal seamer made his Test debut in West Indies with lukewarm returns. But considering he can swing the ball, he could be a great weapon in Cape Town where the ball swings the most in the whole South Africa.
But the question is who does he replace in India Playing XI? Prasidh Krishna seems to be the obvious choice after a torrid debut. But is dropping Prasidh after just one Test match send a good signal? Maybe not. Hence, Shardul Thakur could be the one to go out. However, Shardul does provide the batting depth having scored three half-centuries in Australia and England. Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid will have to take a call on who goes out. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohd Siraj are the first-choice seamers in India Playing XI.
Predicted India Playing XI 2nd Test
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mukesh Kumar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
India’s squad for 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Avesh Khan
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