South Africa level the test match series against India

Cape Town Test

South Africa have won the second test match against India, series is levelled at 1-1. With the final test match to be played at Newlands Cape Town stadium beginning from11th Jan 2022. Virat Kohli is expected to be fit for the test match. Mohammed Siraj is doubtful starter for the third test match due to hamstring injury he sustained during the second test match. Umesh Yadav or Ishant Sharma could get a chance in case Mohammed Siraj is not fully fit fit for the match. Hanuma Vihari is the likely player who would get dropped for the match to make way for Virat Kohli in the side. Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinakya Rahane showed signs of return to form by playing a crucial knocks of 58 runs and 53 runs in the second innings of the Jo’burg test match which India had lost by 7 wickets. Dean Elgar has been a key player for the South African in this year, he played a match winning knock of 94 runs in the second innings of the Jo’Burg test despite suffering multiple blows on his body. Marcus Jansen has also been a find for South Africa on this series picking up crucial wickets in this series.
Keegan Petersen also seems a bright player for the future for South Africa, his batting has look solid, the way he has played till now. South African players have managed to display top quality cricket in this series.

For India, biggest gain has been Sharadul Thakur, his performance with both bat and ball has been impressive whenever he has got chances he has given his 100%. In the second test match as well, Shardul Thakur picked up 7 wickets in the South African first innings and 2 wickets in the second innings and scored 24 crucial runs in the second innings for India. Worrying
thing for India has been form of Rishabh Pant who has been not able to score big runs for India and has got out playing rash shots, not playing as per the situation of the game.

For India to win their first ever test series victory in South Africa, all players need to perform be it India’s top order or the bowlers. Given the nature of the pitch and conditions in Cape Town, it will favor the Indians having all the bases covered. If Virat Kohli can get his form back in this game, it would definitely give major boost to the Indian batting and put pressure on the South Africans. Hope the weather does not play spoil the match, cricket fans could get definitely expect a cracker of a test in one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.

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