Match details:
Series/tournament name: India vs South Africa Tests
Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Date: October 10, 2019
Time: 9.30AM IST
Preview:
India maintained their near perfect record at home in the last few years with a win over South Africa at Vizag in the first Test. As they head to Pune, a venue where they last lost a home Test, India will know that they hold the edge but guarding against complacency will be their biggest challenge. They might ponder going in with an extra spinner in Kuldeep Yadav with the pitch expected to take turn.
South Africa, on the other hand, would be hoping that the hype surrounding the pitch does not materialize. After their Nagpur debacle in 2015, a rank turner is the last one South Africa will want to see. That said, it is on such a surface that they might actually fancy their chances against a top India side.
Weather report:
Rain forecast is high on all five days, with day three in particular having a really poor forecast.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to be a rank turner, much like the one that hosted India and Australia in 2017.
Probable Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Faf du Plessis (c),
Match details:
Series/tournament name: India vs South Africa Tests
Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Date: October 10, 2019
Time: 9.30AM IST
Preview:
India maintained their near perfect record at home in the last few years with a win over South Africa at Vizag in the first Test. As they head to Pune, a venue where they last lost a home Test, India will know that they hold the edge but guarding against complacency will be their biggest challenge. They might ponder going in with an extra spinner in Kuldeep Yadav with the pitch expected to take turn.
South Africa, on the other hand, would be hoping that the hype surrounding the pitch does not materialize. After their Nagpur debacle in 2015, a rank turner is the last one South Africa will want to see. That said, it is on such a surface that they might actually fancy their chances against a top India side.
Weather report:
Rain forecast is high on all five days, with day three in particular having a really poor forecast.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to be a rank turner, much like the one that hosted India and Australia in 2017.
Probable Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Zubayr Hamza, Quinton de Kock (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Top picks:
Wicket-keeper: Quinton de Kock (9.5 credits)
After a much improved showing against spin, Quinton de Kock is the frontrunner in a fantasy team and should easily be chosen over Wriddhiman Saha. The South African showed much better technique and composure against spin and will be a key figure if South Africa need him to go berserk with the tail.
Batsman: Cheteshwar Pujara (9.5 credits)
Cheteshwar Pujara coped twin failures at Vizag, falling each time to Vernon Philander, and will be eager to make amends as they head to Pune. A player impossible to remove on rank turners, Pujara will be key to India's fortunes here.
All-rounder: Ravichandran Ashwin (9.5 credits)
After another seven wicket haul at Vizag, Ashwin has extended his record to seven four-plus wicket hauls in nine innings against the Proteas at home. If there's one genuine, massive threat for South Africa at Pune, it is this man. Joint quickest to 350 wickets, Ashwin might just be the man who could single-handedly win India this Test.
Bowler: Keshav Maharaj (8.5 credits)
South Africa's sole hope rests in Keshav Maharaj who impressed with his steady bowling at Vizag. On a turner, Maharaj has shown that he can be equally potent and this makes him a fantastic selection in your fantasy side. He is a highly recommended pick on this surface.
Captaincy options: Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara
Dream11 team:
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.
