After drawing level in the T20I series, both teams will be heading to Visakhapatnam for the first Test match that is slated to begin from the 2nd of October.

The last time Proteas played a Test series here, it was dominated by the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra who accounted for 61 of the 70 South African wickets that fell throughout the series.

Rohit Sharma is all set to don his new role as an opener in the whites. Six years back, the same move in limited-overs cricket turned out to be one of the greatest decisions for the Men in Blue. All eyes will be on the Hitman when he steps out to face the new red-cherry wearing whites tomorrow. Mayank Agarwal will be his opening partner.

Skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara will have great memories of this ground with both scoring centuries in the last Test that was played here. On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane’s century in the West Indies tour will help him establish his authority again in the middle order as a batting mainstay.

Hanuma Vihari proved his value, ending up as the highest run-scorer in the West Indies tour where he scored 289 runs at an amazing average of 96.33. Virat Kohli, in the pre-match press conference, announced that Wriddhiman Saha will keep wickets omitting Rishab Pant.

Pant’s last four Test innings: 27, 7, 24, 159*

Saha will represent the country for the first time in 22 months. With Rishabh Pant scoring a lot of runs overseas, Saha will have to step up with the bat as well to make his case solid.

With the given conditions, India are persisting with two spinners. Jadeja allows them to have a good batting depth and can take wickets at a considerable rate. A lot of eyes will be on Ashwin though, who missed out on the two Tests in West Indies and has been India’s most reliable spinner over the last few years, especially at home. He took eight wickets on the same ground against England which shall give him some confidence.

Jasprit Bumrah’s absence might be a huge blow for Team India. However, Ishant Sharma led the pack with great valour in the Caribbean Isles and would be looking forward to replicating the same here as well. Mohammed Shami too has been absolutely fantastic in the last couple of years. Umesh Yadav has been roped in as a replacement.

India’s XI: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami.

As for the visitors, they have some tremendous talent in their batting ranks. The likes of Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar will be handling the mantle at the top. Temba Bavuma didn’t have a great tour of Sri Lanka and will look to work upon his errors.

Skipper Faf du Plessis is South Africa’s best bet against spin. If the pitch aids the spinners, the team management will turn their heads towards him to combat the threat. Quinton de Kock played really well in Sri Lanka and has great experience of the conditions in India with the IPL.

In the absence of Hashim Amla, either of Zubayr Hamza or Theunis de Bruyn are likely to step up in the middle order. Both enjoy a great record in first-class cricket for South Africa and it remains to be seen who will get the nod ahead of the first Test.

Kagiso Rabada has been absolutely stunning in the last few years. The No.2 ranked bowler displayed his skills with the ball in Sri Lanka earlier this year followed by the IPL which proves that he’s good in the subcontinent pitches too. He will have Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Anrich Nortje for company.

While there’s no doubt in saying that the visitors’ strength lies in their pace attack, the Proteas have three spinners in the squad. Keshav Maharaj will in all likelihood lead the spin attack, that will boast of the uncapped left-arm orthodox Senuran Muthusamy. They also have Dane Piedt as an off-spinner.

There is no doubt that it is going to be a tough challenge for the Proteas as Vernon Philander even admitted that they will have to perform out of their skins in order to give tough competition to the No.1 ranked Test side in the world.

Key Battles

Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

The No.2 ranked Test batsman vs the No.2 ranked Test bowler. Rabada in middle of a sensational spell bowling to the ferocious Virat Kohli is going to be quite a sight. The right-arm pacer got Virat in the second T20I and will be looking to get him dismissed early even as the format changes.

As for Kohli, he’s known for plundering runs at an extraordinary rate and it wouldn’t be an easy task to stop him.

Faf du Plessis vs Ravindra Jadeja

From friends in IPL to foes in international cricket. Having played together for a long time, both will be aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

While Faf is a good player of spin, Jadeja accounted for him four times during the previous series in India. It’s going to be a total mind game.

While India lead the table at the moment, South Africa are all set to begin their journey in the ICC World Test Championship.

The first Test begins at 9.30 AM on October 2 in Visakhapatnam.