IND vs SA 1st Test LIVE Score: As India and South Africa gear up for the first Test of the ‘Friendship Series‘ at SuperSport Park in Centurion, the threat of rain adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the highly anticipated match. Both teams are eager to make a mark, with India eyeing their first Test series win on South African soil and the hosts looking to secure a crucial victory in the limited Test matches they play in the current cycle.
12:30PM IST: Dark clouds are still surrounding the SuperSport Park. The chances of rain are very high on Tuesday here in Centurion.
Good morning from Supersport Park, Centurion…all set for Boxing Day Test amid dark clouds.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/2Vpgrl4yZX
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) December 26, 2023
11:45 AM IST: Outfield at SuperSport Park is still wet due to constant showers. A delayed start can be expected for this Boxing Day Test match.
Centurion
The Boxing Day Test is here!
Let's go #TeamIndia #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/wj4P8lu1QC
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2023
Rain, the unpredictable element in cricket, is expected to play a significant role, potentially disrupting multiple sessions of play. Both teams, under captains Rohit Sharma and the South African leadership, would prefer a condensed format that could yield a decisive result within fewer overs.
India, in particular, is determined to break the jinx in South Africa, the only place where they haven’t won a Test series. The South African side, conscious of their limited Test cricket engagements, recognizes the importance of winning this series to boost their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship match at Lord’s in 2025.
IND vs SA 1st Test: Injuries and Players availability
Amid uncertainties about the availability of key pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi for the hosts, India faces its own selection dilemmas. Overcast conditions have tilted the balance in favor of an Indian pace attack, with Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar vying for spots. The team is likely to opt for four pacers, including Shardul Thakur, and favor left-armer Ravindra Jadeja over off-spinner R Ashwin as the lone spinner.
KL Rahul versatility in taking on the wicket-keeping role in Tests leaves S Bharat out of contention, paving the way for an additional pure batsman like Shreyas Iyer. However, the inexperience of openers Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Iyer in South African conditions poses a challenge against the formidable South African bowling attack.
The absence of the injured Mohammed Shami is a setback for India. KL Rahul takes on a middle-order role. Rahul’s stellar performance in Centurion two years ago, scoring 123 as an opener, and his notable innings at Lord’s add to India’s confidence despite missing key players.
As South Africa has played only seven Tests at home since the Boxing Day Test two years ago, the significance of this match is heightened. The threat of rain and the desperation of both teams to secure a win promise an intriguing battle, setting the stage for an engaging start to the ‘Friendship Series.’
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India vs South Africa: Visitors eyeing history
As India embarks on its ninth Test tour to South Africa, the final frontier continues to elude them. Since South Africa’s return to international cricket, India has grappled with securing a Test series win on South African soil. Despite eight attempts, the closest they came was in 2010-11 when the series ended in a 1-1 draw.
Reflecting on the past, the anticipation was palpable two years ago when India had what many considered their “best opportunity” to clinch a Test series victory in South Africa. While they managed to secure a win in the first match, they faltered in the next two, missing the chance to rewrite history.
In the current edition, the script is shorter, featuring only two Tests set in Centurion and Cape Town. The stakes are high as the team securing victory in the first Test will gain an unassailable lead. With the lingering disappointment of the recent ODI World Cup and an eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup, India faces the question: Can they carve out a piece of history in this shortened series? The challenge is formidable, but the Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, is poised for an intense battle as they seek to conquer the elusive final frontier.
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