India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Match Preview and Predicted Playing XI

The three-match T20I series between India and South Africa ended in a draw as both the teams won one game each. India tried to experiment with a few things in the final game which cost them a game in the series. 

The focus now moves to the Test series, and the first Test is set to begin on 2nd October at Visakhapatnam. South Africa is now motivated as their Test captain Faf Du Plessis recently joined the team. 

On the other end, India will be a little worried as their front line fast bowler Jaspirt Bumrah was ruled out of the first Test due to a stress fracture and Umesh Yadav replaced him in the team.

India already won two-tests in the ICC Test championship and now is at the top in the points table. They will go into the series as favourites to win the series. After putting up a great show overseas in the last year, India are all set to extend their dominance on the home soil.

The game will be played at Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam and the pitch generally assists the batsmen. When India last played here, they had beaten England with over a 200-run margin. 

If India wins the toss they will be looking to bat first and then the spinners will come in the picture as they did the last time against England.

On the other hand, South Africa would go into the series with nothing to lose and they will be a little short of experience. Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn recently announced their retirement from test cricket. 

This would mean that Faf Du Plessis and other experienced cricketers need to step up to fill the void left by the legendary cricketers. Overall it will be an exciting series with India having an upper hand.

India's Predicted Playing XI:

Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami

South Africa's Predicted Playing XI:

Dean Elgar. Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis , Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada