New Delhi: India vs South Africa second Test of the three-match Ind vs SA Test series will start from from January 3, Monday, at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. After an empathic 113-run win over heavyweights South Africa in the first Test at Centurion, it is highly likely that skipper Virat Kohli will play the second Test with the same winning combination.
However, considering the conditions of Johannesburg, the India team management might pick Umesh Yadav in the playing XI in place of all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
Team India, who currently have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, will aim to win the second Test to secure India's first-ever Test series win in South Africa.
Virat Kohli often opts to pick a seam all-rounder in the playing XI. However, for the second Test, Virat and coach Dravid might try to take advantage of the pitch at Wanderers, which still has some grass on it. Umesh Yadav regularly bowls full length deliveries with a speed of 135 kmph and hence he can be a better option than Shardul.
Talking about Shardul's performance in the Test series opener, he bagged only two wickets in his 16 overs and scored 4 and 10 runs in two innings with the bat. The conditions at the Wanderers may force Virat and coach Dravid to change their tactics.
There is a lot of grass on the pitch and it is raining in Johannesburg. The moisture in the air will help the fast bowlers and Umesh Yadav can prove to be lethal with his swinging deliveries.
India's probable playing XI for IND vs SA 2nd Test: KL Rahul (Vice Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin/Hanuma Vihari, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj.