South Africa vs India, 1st Test - Result Predictions

The much-awaited clash of the new year is here! It’s South Africa versus India and it’s the first of many foreign soil challenges that Team India is going face in the upcoming 18 months. While there’s a lot of speculation surrounding the possible team combinations and the pitch conditions in Cape Town, it’ll be interesting to see how both teams cope with the immense pressure of coming out on top at the end of the Test.

Here’s what CricTracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: South Africa wins the toss

Toss Prediction: South Africa will choose to bat first

First innings score prediction (SA): 430-440

Second innings score prediction (IND): 390-400

Third innings score prediction (SA): 280-290

Fourth innings score prediction (IND): 160-170 (without getting bowled out)

Result prediction: The match will end in a draw

Scenario 2: India wins the toss

Toss Prediction: India will choose to bat first

First innings score prediction (IND): 300-310

Second innings score prediction (SA): 450-460

Third innings score prediction (IND): 350-360

Fourth innings score prediction (SA): 120-130 (without getting bowled out)

Result prediction: The match will end in a draw

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total number of Tests played – 33, South Africa won – 13, India won – 10, Draw – 10.

Matches in South Africa: Total number of Tests played – 17, South Africa won – 8, India won – 2, Draw – 7.

The scales are panned out evenly in delicate balance as the series is about to kick off. Both teams will look to start off the proceedings on a winning note or at least, tilt the scales in their favour in case of a closely contested affair. With Cape Town experiencing severe water shortage for the past few weeks, it’ll be interesting to see what the pitch conditions will be like.

Playing Combinations

South Africa

The Faf du Plessis-led side will find its opening batters in the dependable duo of Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla. There’ll be plenty more of batting firepower in the squad with the likes of Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj and the skipper himself.

Much to the excitement of fans, AB de Villiers can be expected to make his way back to the field to dazzle the onlookers with some top-class cricket. South Africa will find its pace battery in Temba Bavuma, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris while Maharaj and Elgar can take on the spin responsibilities.

Predicted XI: Faf du Plessis (C), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

India

India is most likely to move forward with the tried and tested opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, causing KL Rahul to wait in the wings for some more time. Cheteshwar Pujara, skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane can be expected to shoulder the rest of the batting responsibilities, aided by keeper Wriddhiman Saha and explosive all-rounder, Hardik Pandya.

They will be tempted to go into the game with the seam trio of Ishant Sharma-Mohammed Shami-Umesh Yadav, with Ravichandran Ashwin to look after the spin department.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.

The prediction is for the first Test match of the 3-match series to be drawn.

Do let us know of your predictions in the comments section below.