IND vs SA: Dominant India Looks To Wrap-up Series vs Proteas In 2nd Test

One of the major positives for the South African cricket team is that Pune is the venue of India's solitary defeat, against Australia in 2017

The Virat Kohli-led team India will look to wrap up the three-Test rubber when they take on South Africa in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Thursday. Since the start of 2013, MCA stadium is the only home venue where team India has lost a Test match. South Africa will hope for the history to repeat itself and break India’s superlative home record. However, it will be a difficult task for the visitors to end India's hegemony as team India have performed remarkably well in all departments. One of the major positives for the South African cricket team is that Pune is the venue of India's solitary defeat, against Australia in 2017. Africa lost the first Test by a heavy margin of 203-runs. Mohammed Shami (5/35) and Ravindra Jadeja (4/87), who were the stars of the final day of Vizag Test, will look to repeat their performances to help India take 2-0 lead in today’s encounter. With victory in 2^nd Test, team India will break the record for registering maximum number of consecutive Test series wins at home. On Tuesday, India's bowling coach Bharat Arun had said that they do not keep the pitch conditions in mind before preparing for a Test match. "We don't ask for the kind of wickets we get. For us to be a number one team in the world, we've got to accept and play on any wicket that's on offer. Even when we go abroad, we hardly look at the wicket," he had said. On the eve of the Pune Test though, both Arun and head coach Ravi Shastri were seen keeping a close eye on the surface. The pitch looked green when the covers came off but the grass cover is expected to be removed by the time play starts on Thursday. "I know knowing Indian conditions, the turf is a little more red, so I expect the ball to spin a little more than the first Test," South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis said while interacting with reporters. Squads:  India's Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wk), Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second.