After a gruelling Test series, last year in the Rainbow Nation, India and South Africa are set to tussle it out in another three-match Test series as part of the World Test Championship. This time around, India are the hosts and they would be looking to seek revenge for the green pitches that South Africa greeted them within South Africa. Ahead of the three Tests, we take a glance at a few head to head to battles to watch out for this series.
Ravindra Jadeja vs Faf du Plessis
Balls faced – 149, Runs – 35, Dismissals – 4
Ravindra Jadeja has been a vital cog in India’s Test attack in recent times. He has edged past Ravichandran Ashwin to be the premier spinner in overseas Tests but as another home series beckons, the left-arm spinner is once again competing with Ashwin for the role of frontline spinner although both are certain to start. Jadeja’s battle with South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis will be one to watch out for this series. Of the 149 balls du Plessis has faced from Jadeja in Tests, he has been dismissed four times while making just 35 runs. It shows that the supreme South African batsman has struggled to rotate Jadeja and preserve his wicket against him. What will this series hold?
Ravichandran Ashwin vs Dean Elgar
Balls faced – 227, Runs – 91, Dismissals – 5
In 2015 when South Africa toured India, Ashwin ran all over them like a bulldozer. On wickets tailor made for him, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner picked up 31 wickets in three Tests. At home, he has taken 20 five-wicket hauls and averages three points lesser than his overall average. For South African opener Dean Elgar at least, Ashwin isn’t good news. Of the 227 balls the left-hander has faced from Ashwin, he has been dismissed five times.
Vernon Philander vs Rohit Sharma
Balls faced – 50, Runs – 19, Dismissals – 3
The move to open with Rohit Sharma will be keenly watched by spectators this series. The ODI opener has racked up runs for fun but in Tests his lack of feet movement has been exposed by quality seamers abroad. In the warm up game for Board President’s XI against South Africa, Rohit was tried as opener and returned with a two-ball duck, falling to his nemesis, Vernon Philander. In Tests, Philander has dismissed Rohit three times in the 50 balls he has bowled at him, a sign of how Rohit has struggled against swing and seam movement. His biggest test this series would be getting past an immaculate Philander.
Kagiso Rabada vs Virat Kohli
Balls faced – 183, Runs – 111, Dismissals – 2
Rabada has bowled 183 balls at Virat Kohli in Tests, 134 of which are dot balls. The Indian skipper, who is a fine player of pace and spin alike, has struggled a bit against the Proteas strike bowler and the battle between the two would be watched out keenly this series. Kohli isn’t one to back down from attacking him, though, as evident from a strike rate of 60-plus in the 30-plus overs he has faced from Rabada in Test cricket. On the flatter Indian wickets, Rabada will need to conjure up magic to get past Virat Kohli as the captain averages a stunning 80-plus in home Tests since 2016.