There was a total domination of the spin bowlers when India last played a Test match in Visakhapatnam. The coastal city of Andhra Pradesh made its longer format debut as a Test venue and the match between India and England turned out to be an encounter where spinners prevailed. Indian spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav shared as many as 15 wickets between them while Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid scalped 10 wickets in two innings .
England batsmen faced difficulties to the tackle the Indian spinners. The ball turned square at times during the second innings of the match and occasional bounce along with the turn had put the batsmen under all sorts of trouble .
This time around South Africa perhaps are ready to accept the challenge and the inclusion of Amol Mazumdar as their batting consultant will definitely help them plan better against the Indian spinners .
The only time India played a Test match in Vizag, three spinners were part of Virat Kohli's playing eleven. Indian spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Yadav had bowled around 245 overs in the match for their 15 wickets. With Jasprit Bumrah missing the match due to injury, it won't be surprising if the Indian captain again opts for three spinners against South Africa.
The Proteas have a reputation of finding the going tough against Kuldeep Yadav. The South African batsmen found themselves in trouble against the Chinaman bowler in the last ODIs and T-20 cricket series played between the two sides.
In the series opener at Vizag, the format of the game may be different but with all likelihood of a turning track, Kuldeep could prove dangerous if skipper Virat Kohli finally gives him an opportunity in the playing eleven .