Indian players will return to Test action on December 26 when the Virat Kohli-led side will take on South Africa in the first Test of the three-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The series will also see the comeback of a few first-choice Test players, who were either rested or injured in the recently-concluded home Test battle against New Zealand.
Many experts of the game have rated Indꦑia as favourites due to their recent few overseas performances. Notably, the Proteas have never lost a Test leg in their backyard against the Indians. The last time both sides met in the rainbow nation, the hosts had defeated the visitors by 2-1.
As the date of the Boxing-Day Test is approaching, many fans are curious to know the team combination. And speaking about the same, former India opener Wasim Jaffer has suggested the Indian cricket team’s composition for the series opener.
Jaffer reckoned the Team India should go with a ‘7+4’ composition featuring seven batters and four bowlers. The Mumbaikar cited the example of India’s batting woes in the previous South Africa tour. Jaffer pointed out that India had crossed the 250-run mark only once in six innings and hence suffered a series loss despite picking all 20 wickets in all three matches.
Jaffer said India should go with an extra batter in the red-ball battle against South Africa. When it comes to the bowling group, he went with three pacers and one spinner in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“India made 250+ only once in six innings in SA in 2018. And that’s why we lost the series despite taking 20 wickets in all 3 tests. Extra batter is a must in SA. I’d go 7+4 with Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, and Ashwin being the 4 bowlers. #SAvIND” Jaffer wrote on Twitter.
India made 250+ only once in six innings in SA in 2018. And that's why we lost the series despite taking 20 wickets in all 3 tests. Extra batter is a must in SA. I'd go 7+4 with Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, and Ashwin being the 4 bowlers.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
