Mohali: Outwitted in both the T20 and the ODI cricket series, India will seek redemption in the Test format by trying to spin a web around the formidable South Africans in the four-match series starting here on Thursday.
India failed to make use of the home advantage in the limited-overs games while the South Africans displayed remarkable adaptability to emerge the better of the two teams so far.
In Thursday’s match, Virat Kohli’s men would take the field without pace spearhead Ishant Sharma, who is serving a one-match ban for his aggressive outbursts during the away series against Sri Lanka.
Therefore, India will be relying heavily on their spin brigade to out-manoeuvre the potent opposition batting, which has been sublime to say the least.
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.
Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who missed the last four ODIs with a side strain he suffered in the opening game in Kanpur, seems to be fit and raring to go.
Having been India’s strike bowler in the Test series win in Sri Lanka, Ashwin, who bagged 20 wickets against the Island nation, will be key to the home team’s chances with opposition players like Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar acknowledging the in-form spinner’s threat.
Team Director Ravi Shastri though has asserted that even Amit Mishra and Jadeja, who has been in stellar form in the current Ranji season, will be crucial to the home side’s fortunes.
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.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be a tad worried about the form of Hashim Amla, who takes over as captain for the Test format.
In contrast, ODI captain AB de Villiers, termed Superman by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, seems to be in the form his life and his wicket will certainly be a prized scalp for the Indian camp.
Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis also add muscle to their batting while Temba Bavuma is expected to fill in the large shoes of Jean-Paul Duminy, who is still recovering from his hand injury picked during the third ODI.
The Proteas attack rests on the broad shoulders of speedster Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel while the spin force is led by the in-form Imran Tahir. (PTI)
