South Africa are all set to host India for a multi-format series, starting December 26, 2021. The tour kicks off with a Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The three-match Test series will be followed by a three-match ODI series, with the tour coming to an end on January 23, 2022.

South Africa will start their World Test Championship cycle with a home series against India. Dean Elgar is all set to lead the Proteas in the Test series. Temba Bavuma has been named as the deputy to Elgar and the hosts have to be on their toes while facing India in the upcoming few weeks.

South Africa have suffered a major blow ahead of the series, with Anrich Nortje ruled out due to a persistent hip injury. Much rests on Kagiso Rabada’s form going into the Test series.

India on the other hand, will be riding with confidence after whitewashing the Kiwis at home in a two-match Test series. But they will be aware of the Proteas challenge.

Virat’s men have impressed everyone in the last 12 months, defeating Australia down under and then following it by leading England by a 2-1 margin in a Test series in England. The next challenge for them will be to tour South Africa and beat them in the rainbow nation.

India have won only three Tests out of 20 in South Africa. But they are well-prepared this time and have the capacity to register their first Test series win on hostile territory. An exciting series awaits us.India and South Africa are set to face each other in an upcoming Test series. India’s tour of South Africa 2021-22 will witness a three-match Test series at the start. The IND vs SA 1st Test will commence on December 26. The match is scheduled to be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Spectators aren’t allowed to watch the game inside the stadium. Virat Kohli will be leading the team for a Test series in South Africa for the second consecutive time. The Virat Kohli-led team last came to South Africa for a Test series in 2018.

India currently hold the 4th spot in ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 points table after playing two-Test series. India have played 6 matches so far. They have won 3 Tests, lost 1, and 2 ended in a draw. India has a PCT of 58.33.

India have toured South Africa seven times for a Test series and came back home empty-handed on all occasions. Virat Kohli and Boys would look to exhibit their best performance and create history this time around. In a big blow to them, newly appointed Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the Test series. KL Rahul will assume the vice-captaincy duties in Rohit’s absence.

SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA MATCH DETAILS:

Match: South Africa vs India, 1st Test, South Africa vs India Test Series.
Date and Time: December 26th 2021, Sunday, 01:30 PM IST.
Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion.

SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA PITCH REPORT

The pitch at SuperSport Park is good for batting. Once set, the batters can play their strokes freely. The new ball bowlers will get seam movement off the surface. The pacers are expected to get some extra bounce. Expect the surface to stay true throughout the course of the match.

SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA WEATHER FORECAST

Temperatures in Centurion are expected to range between 16 and 26 degrees Celsius on the opening day of the Test. There is rain predicted over the next five days and we might witness rain-interruptions during the course of the match.

SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA PROBABLE XIS

SOUTH AFRICA

Dean Elgar will be the Proteas skipper and he will be eager to lead his side by example. They have some exciting new players on their side who will look to grab any opportunity that comes their way. The likes of Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada will play a vital role for them in the upcoming Test series.

PROBABLE XI:

• Dean Elgar (Captain)
• Temba Bavuma (vc)
• Quinton de Kock (wk)
• 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

INDIA

With Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja missing out, plenty rests on the shoulders of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ravichandran Ashwin. The pacers’ form will also play a major role for them if they are to win the series. Kohli and co. will be chasing a series victory for the first time in South Africa.

PROBABLE XI:

• Virat Kohli (Captain)
• Priyank Panchal
• KL Rahul
• Mayank Agarwal
• Cheteshwar Pujara
• Ajinkya Rahane
• Shreyas Iyer
• Hanuma Vihari
• Rishabh Pant (wk)
• Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
• R Ashwin
• Jayant Yadav
• Ishant Sharma,
• Mohd. Shami
• Umesh Yadav
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Shardul Thakur
• Md. Siraj.

SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA MATCH PREDICTION

The Boxing Day Test kicks off an exciting series between South Africa and India, where Virat’s men will be chasing their first Test series win in South Africa. Both look formidable units and expect a great battle between bat and ball over the next five days.

India look a well-settled unit and it won’t be a surprise if they get an early lead in the series if the rain stays away and we get a full game.

Prediction: India to win this encounter.