Review of Indian Test squads of South Africa-tour: 2013 vs 2018

The Indian cricket team has had a tremendous run in Test cricket with victories over several opponents. Moreover, Virat Kohli hasn’t lost a series ever since MS Dhoni passed on the baton of leadership to the Delhi-born cricketer. In home conditions, the Men in Blue has been insurmountable as even the likes of Australia and England have struggled to get the better of Kohli’s men.

However, the upcoming year will throw some stern challenges to Indian cricket as the team will be touring South Africa, Australia and England. The Proteas tour begins on the 5th of January and India will look to start the year on a healthy note. Form and experience are vital elements in order for a team challenge their rivals.

Youngsters add energy to a team, however, the skillset of a veteran guides a team towards the desired goals. As we move ahead, we take an insight into the comparative analysis between the form of Indian players before their tour of South Africa in 2013 and 2018.

Form of the players in 2013 going into the series

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar forayed into international cricket with a swashbuckling 187 runs against Australia at Mohali in March 2013. However, a fractured left-handed kept him out for six months. However, he returned during Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series and played a couple of short, yet quick fire-knocks.

Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay was a prolific run-scorer for India at the top of the order in 2013. He had a dream run as he racked up runs at will. After faltering against Australia in Chennai, Vijay stormed back with scores of 167 and 153 at Hyderabad and Mohali respectively followed by a half-century in Delhi.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara, with loads of runs under his belt, had a stupendous year. He notched his second double-century against Australia at Hyderabad in March after his maiden double-ton against England. He also impressed in Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test match at Mumbai with a patient knock of 113 runs.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli had an impressive 2013 with the willow. He notched a ton against Australia at Chennai to start the year. He followed it up with a couple of decent scores at Hyderabad and Mohali. He faltered in the next couple of games but impressed with a knock 57 during Sachin’s farewell game.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane made his debut in 2013 against Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. However, he perished cheaply on both innings, first by Nathan Lyon followed by Glenn Maxwell. Thereafter, he didn’t find a spot in the playing XI in the Men in Blue’s Test series’ against the West Indies.

MS Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni started 2013 off in grand style with a whirlwind, yet matured knock of 224 against Australia in Chennai. The knock still remains to be the highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper. Thereafter, he didn’t get any substantial score but played some useful knocks lower down the order.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, India’s premier all-rounder, had an auspicious run 2013. He picked up wickets throughout the entire duration of India’s four-match Test series against Australia. Subsequently, he emerged the series’ second-highest wicket-taker. He also played a breezy 43 runs at New Delhi.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin was India’s gun bowler in 2013 and emerged as their top wicket-taker. He snared 29 wickets against Australia and turned out to be the series’ leading wicket-taker. Also, he picked up 123 wickets during Windies’ tour of India in November. In the same series, he scored his second Test-ton.