Press Trust of India
Mohali, Nov 4: Outwitted in both the T20 and the ODI series, India will seek redemption in the Test format by trying to spin a web around the formidable South Africans in the first of the four Tests starting here Thursday. However, it will not be an easy task for the hosts as the South Africans have shown during the limited overs games that they also have the aces up their sleeves to tackle the Indian bowlers.
India start on the wrong foot, Thursday with pacer Ishant Sharma being banned for a game. The hosts therefore, will be relying heavily on their spin brigade to deliver against a very potent batting line-up of the visitors.
With Ravindra Jadeja back in the mix of things, Kohli will be looking to go with three spinners at the PCA track, hoping to pose a threat to the visitors. Ravichandran Ashwin has been declared fit to play and his addition will no doubt, boost the Indian morale, as the off-spinner was the leading wicket-taker in the away series against Sri Lanka with 20 wickets. Team Director Ravi Shastri though has asserted that both Amit Mishra and Jadeja will also have crucial roles to play.
The Saurashtra all-rounder has been in good form in the domestic circuit having bagged 38 wickets in four Ranji Trophy games. His left-arm slow bowling, combined with Mishra’s leg-spin and Ashwin’s offies could turn out to be the much-needed winning formula for the hosts on what seems to be a track that will favour the home team’s strengths.
On the batting front, India will be spoilt for choices on with Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma fighting it out for the top-order slots. But if the nets Wednesday were any indication, Rohit may be preferred to Pujara in the middle-order and the No. 3 slot may go to Ajinkya Rahane keeping in mind the Mumbaikar’s recent form.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be a tad worried about the form of skipper Hashim Amla. But other than that, their batting has looked in sublime form with both Faf du Plessis and AB De Villiers in very good nick. Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl and Temba Bavuma are all good batters, but the hosts will like to exploit their inexperience in Indian conditions.
The Proteas attack rests on the broad shoulders of speedsters Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel while the spin force is led by the in-form Imran Tahir.
