India vs South Africa 2nd Test Preview: Advantage India against Injury hit South Africa at Bengaluru

India vs South Africa 2nd Test Preview: Advantage India against Injury hit South Africa at Bengaluru: After a short but eventful Test at Mohali, where spinners made merry, India face off South Africa at Bengaluru. But most of the limelight has been on South Africa, to be more specific, on AB De Villers and injuries sustained by the South African players.

The Indian team, meanwhile, has been pretty quiet after their thumping victory in the first Test. Surprisingly, the team has called up Gurkeerat Singh Mann for the second Test, indicating some change of plans from Kohli’s perspective. Amla, meanwhile, will be having a sleepless night ruing the injuries sustained by two of their key players.

Going into the second Test, here is how the teams look like.

South Africa

Injuries and South Africa go hand in hand when travelling to India. A couple of months ago, the A team suffered backlash from food poisoning of all things, as many as 4 players have already been injured in this tour. Especially if the four players are Morne Morkel, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn. While the latter two are effectively ruled out, the former two have almost recovered, but it still raises a question about their fitness level.

As far as the team composition is concerned, it might be similar to what we saw in Mohali. While Elgar and Van Zyl are expected to be a bit more proactive at the top, the real concern lies with the middle order. Amla’s poor form continued, and he would look to set things right. Same goes for AB De Villers, who would look to make his 100^th Test memorable. The lower middle order would be re-enforced with the return of JP Duminy.

As far as the bowling is concerned, Morne Morkel and Rabada would receive a fair share of workload at the absence of their strike bowlers . While Amla will be expected to retain only Tahir in the team as JP Duminy will most likely return, Kyle Abbott seems to be the most obvious option for the 3^rd pacer.

Unlike most of the teams today, South Africans are excellent players outside their home conditions, and one can expect a strong recovery from them. AB DeVillers has already sent a warning to Virat Kohli, and it will be interesting as to who will win the battle of wits at the Chinnaswamy.

India

The Indians were clinical with their performance in the first Test, and a similar one can be expected from the team at the Chinnaswamy.

But first getting at the team composition, it is almost certain that either Umesh Yadav or Varun Aaron would pave way for Ishant Sharma. With the Bengaluru wicket more supportive to the pacers, one can expect a more proactive role from the two pacers who will play. As far as the spinners are concerned, it is certain that Kohli will not disturb his spin combination. The spinners will not have the same sort of turn, but ample amount of bounce is available at the Chinnaswamy pitches.

As far as the batting is concerned, it will be interesting as to whether Dhawan will retain his place. Gurkeerat’s call-up raised a few eye-brows, and it won’t be surprising if Kohli drops Dhawan, promotes Pujara and accommodates Gurkeerat. Gurkeerat’s abilities with the ball gives the captain an extra advantage. But one cannot rule out the possibility of Kohli playing 3 pacers. Given the conditions at Bengaluru, Kohli could gamble playing 3 pacers, 2 spinners and Gurkeerat Singh instead of Dhawan, giving us a 5-2-4 combination, with Jadeja and Gurkeerat as the all-rounders.

The primary concern would be the form of the middle order. While Pujara and Vijay batted beautifully, the middle order were left flummoxed against Tahir and Harmer. Considering the Indian batsmen’s reputation to play spin, the new generation has faced troubles facing quality spin, which could be severely exposed by the South Africans.

Form

South Africa : L D D W D

India : W W W L D

Pitch

Thanks to heavy rainfalls over the past week, the pitch preparations have been hampered, and Kohli himself has admitted that the final composition would depend on the condition of the pitch at the last moment. But generally, the Bengaluru pitch has known to be batsmen friendly, with enough bounce to assist both the pacers and spinners. Though anyone winning the toss would prefer to bat first, overcast conditions might force the toss winning captain to gamble.

Stats

626 – The highest score at this ground, scored by India in 2007

97 – Highest score by a South African at Chinnaswamy, by Lance Klusener.

21.41 – Ishant Sharma’s bowling average at Chinnaswamy, the best amongst bowlers who have taken at least 10 wickets at the venue.

1 – Number of wickets Imran Tahir needs to get to 50 wickets in Tests.

0 – Number of players in the South African team who have played a Test at Chinnaswamy.

30% – India’s winning percentage at Chinnaswamy, having won 6 matches out of 20 played at the venue.

11 – Number of wickets pacers took when the teams last faced off at the Chinnaswamy. South Africa won the match by an innings and 71 runs.