On Cusp of History: Virat Kohli’s India able to roll over South Africa for elusive sequence win

India’s formidably constant match-winners have a date with historical past within the New Year after they tackle an out-of-sorts South Africa within the second Test right here from Monday in pursuit of a coveted first-ever sequence win within the ‘Rainbow Nation’.
If the ‘Boxing Day Test’ was used to breach the Proteas’ fortress on the Centurion, the New Year’s recreation can be all about stoutly defending the ‘Bull Ring’ bastion which has been a ‘home’ away from dwelling for the Indian staff.

Scenes from Centurion 👌https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ goes behind the scenes submit #StaffIndia‘s historic win at SuperSport Park 🏟️🙌
Full video arising quickly 📽️ – Stay tuned ⏳#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/oKyGhm0MxF
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2021
Also, it was proper right here in 2018 when the inspiration of considered one of India’s best Test groups was laid with a strong win on a observe that bordered on under-prepared and maybe gave this unit self perception to tackle the world.
They have been doing that for practically 4 years now and are in no temper to cease.
For captain Virat Kohli, a Test victory on the Wanderers would reaffirm his standing as one of many best Indian captains of all time within the conventional format with sequence wins in three of the 4 SENA nations barring New Zealand.

Cannot ask for a greater finish to 2021! 👏 👏@28anand captures the essence and vibes in Centurion submit #StaffIndia‘s historic Test win at SuperSport Park. 👌 👌 #SAvIND
Watch the complete video 🎥 🔽https://t.co/49IFMY2Lxl pic.twitter.com/PnIaswqsH7
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 31, 2021
There can’t be a extra opportune time to realize the feat towards a South African facet that lacks Graeme Smith’s grit, Hashim Amla’s class, Jacques Kalllis’ manic consistency, Dale Steyn’s x-factor and Morne Morkel’s relentlessness.
To be honest, this South African staff will discover it extremely tough to compete towards the present Indian line-up go away alone harbour desires of a win.
Yes, they’ve a Kagiso Rabada, who’s carrying the load, and Lungi Ngidi, who has appeared good, however Quinton de Kock’s sudden retirement from the hardest type of cricket on the age of 29 is one other reminder of a tricky transition interval that by no means appears to finish for the Proteas.
So even when Ryan Rickleton, the 25-year-old dashing keeper-batter who’s slated to make his debut, created some noise, he’ll discover that scoring runs on the home stage may be very totally different from dealing with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami with the crimson Kookaburra.

We are right here at The Wanderers to organize for the 2nd Test 🏟️
New Day 🌞New Year 👌New Start 😃Same Focus 💪
Lets GO #StaffIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/S2vXnumhMD
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 1, 2022
Even Duanne Oliver, more likely to exchange Wiaan Mulder who was out attributable to a hamstring harm within the first Test, will discover it extraordinarily tough towards a seasoned Indian batting line-up which wish to give a greater account of itself in comparison with the primary Test.
On a private notice for Kohli, it might be the best respiratory area that he would require, now that it’s official that he’s not the institution’s blue-eyed boy after his a lot publicised battle of “your truth versus mine” with a minimum of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly.
Kohli the batter continues to be insulated from the warmth regardless of that lacking ‘three-figure mark’ for final two years however ‘King Kohli is metaphorically “wearing a crown of thorns”.

Getting Test-match prepared at The Wanderers 👌 👌#StaffIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/f3WTqSIIKX
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 1, 2022
He didn’t face the media earlier than and after the primary Test and now head coach Rahul Dravid is actually residing as much as his ‘The Wall’ moniker as he’s set to look as a fire-fighter forward of the second Test.
Having already made it clear that he received’t ever focus on categorised inside issues, Dravid has already achieved one spherical of dousing the hearth and on Sunday, he’s anticipated to maintain the subject of debate to strictly cricketing.
However, it is extremely tough to think about that India could be ringing in adjustments to their profitable mixture contemplating Kohli’s obsession with 5 bowlers.
Even with that, India have been docked a WTC (World Test Championship) level for sluggish over-rate and Ravichandran Ashwin can be as integral to the guests’ bowling plans on a seamer-friendly wicket as their 4 quick bowlers.
Obviously, Shardul Thakur is the weakest hyperlink on this assault with Umesh Yadav being stronger however the Mumbaikar’s knack of choosing wickets and likewise comparatively stronger batting potential retains him within the combine.

But on a vigorous Wanderers observe, Umesh received’t be a nasty choice regardless that that would imply taking part in an additional batter, which hasn’t precisely been Kohli’s template.
As far because the batting line-up is worried, until anybody reviews unfit on the match day, all of the 5 specialist willow-wielders together with Rishabh Pant, whose run-a ball-34 was a particular contribution in Centurion, will once more characteristic within the line-up.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane received’t be dropped but as Dravid will give them sufficient possibilities to succeed until he shifts his religion on Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari, which could not be the case if batting coach Vikram Rathour’s final media interplay is to be believed.
The three large weapons are due for a giant rating and it might be Proteas’ worst nightmare coming true if all of them fireplace in unison on the ‘Bull Ring’.
It would then be a cakewalk for India.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul (vc), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Jayant Yadav, Priyank Panchal, Umesh Yadav, Hanuma Vihari, Ishant Sharma.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier. Match Starts 1:30 pm