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2nd Test: South Africa make 62-3 at stumps on Day 1

Wed, 03 January 2024

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21:13

Trail India by 36 runs

SA 62-3 (17 ovs) and 55 vs Ind 153 | Scorecard

South Africa lost three wickets and were 62 for 3 at stumps on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

They trail India by 36 runs.

Coming in to bat in their 2nd innings, South Africa lost 3 wickets as Mukesh Kumar struck twice before Bumrah got the third wicket.

Markram loooking in good touch is batting on 36 along with David Bedingham (7).

Mukesh continues and Markram hits two fours in the over as 13 runs and a wicket come off it.

And that is stumps on Day 1.

Bedingham is the new man in and he gets off the mark with a four.

Four runs and a wicket come off it.

Bumrah continues and after a dot, Stubbs gets the edge and is caught behind. He is out for 1.

Mukesh continues and he gives just one run in the over.

Bumrah continues and 2 come in the over.

20:53

Mukesh Kumar take 2 wickets

SA 42-2 (13 ovs) and 55 vs Ind 153 | Scorecard

Stubbs is the new man in and a single and a wicket comes off it.

Mukesh continues and he strikes again.

Full ball and De Zorzi is caught behind by Rahul for 1.

Bumrah continues and he gives four runs in the over.

De Zorzi is the new man in that is a wicket-maiden.

Mukesh continues and he gets the first breakthrough as Elgar is out for 12.

Mukesh is in the attack now and he gives 11 runs in the over.

Markram and Elgar continue to stave off India's bowlers. The batters continue to score big runs,

Markram continues to attack Bumrah as 9 come off it.

Siraj opens at the other end and he starts with a maiden.

Markram and Elgar open the inninsg for South Africa. Bumrah opens the attack for India.

Markram starts the innings with a boundary as 4 comes off the first over.

19:40

Six wickets fall in 11 balls

Ind 153 (34.5) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

India have been bowled out for 153 on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.

India lead by 98 runs.

The match turned on its head as India lost six wickets in 11 balls with no runs on the board.

In the first hour of the 3rd session, Kohli and Rahul were playing with ease and scoring nicely at over 4 runs an over.

But once Ngidi was brought back into the attack, all hell broke loose.

Ngidi first took out Rahul for 8 before Jadeja and Bumrah were dismissed in the same over as India were reduced to 153 for 7.

Rabada then finished the innings snaring Kohli, Siraj and Krishna in the 35th over to have India all out.

Mukesh Kumar is the new man in Krishna gets the edge and is caught at slips as India are all out for 153.

Prasidh Krishna is the new man in and after a dot, he plays the ball to mid-on, Siraj wants the run, he is half-way down the track but is sent back only to see Burger get a direct hit and send Siraj back for a duck!

Rabada continues and after a dot, Kohli edges the ball to Markram at slip as Kohli is out for 46. The umpires are checking for the catch. Replays show it was a fair catch and Kohli walks back.

Delivery on length, Kohli forced to play at it and he gets a thick edge to the slip fielder.

19:22

Rahul. Jadeja back in the hut

Ind 153-7 (34) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Siraj is the new man in and he plays out a dot and that is a triple-wicket maiden!

Bumrah is the new man in and he blocks the first ball.

Ngidi strikes next ball as the ball rises sharply, it's a back of length ball, Bumrah can all but play at it and he edges it and is caught in the slips by Jansen.

Jadeja is the new man in and after a dot, Jadeja is beaten by the extra bounce. A short ball is bowled, Jadeja tries to fend it awkwardly only to get an edge as the ball flies off his bat and Jansen takes a stunning low catch at gully to have Jadeja out for a duck.

Just when it looked like Kohli and Rahul would take India to big score, Ngidi breaks the partnership.

Ngidi continues and he strikes! Short ball and wide, slight bounce, Rahul slashes at it and is caught behind. He is out for 8. India lose 5th wicket!

Rabada continues and after three dots and an unsuccessful LBW appeal, Rahul plays the next ball with a pull over backward square leg for a four. His first boundary of the innings.

A dot later, Rahul pulls the ball down to mid-wicket to end the over with a single as 5 come off it.

19:10

Kohli nears half century

Ind 148-4 (32) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Kohli is batting exceptionally here to pace his innings and play the bowlers to merit.

Rahul has scored just 3 so far but is Kohli's able ally.

Ngidi is back in the attack now. After a dot. Kohli and Rahul rotate the strike for four singles.

A dot to end the over as four come off it.

Rabada continues and after two leaves, Kohli gets the edge as he pushes at it but the ball goes wide of 2nd slip.

Four byes next as the ball flies over the keeper for a four! Wide called.

Kohli then takes a single to the leg side.

Two dots to end the over as 6 come off it.

Jansen continues and Rahul misses the glance and the ball runs down to fine leg for 2.

Three dots later, Rahul finally gets off the mark with a single as he pulls the ball to long leg.

A single to Kohli to end the over as 4 come off it.

Rabada continues and after a dot, Kohli takes a couple to the leg side.

Kohli then gets a couple to third man.

Two dots to end the over as 4 come off it.

18:51

Rahul yet to get off the mark

Ind 130-4 (28) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Jansen continues and he comes around the wicket to Rahul who starts the over with a forward defence.

Rahul then plays the ball to backward point for a dot. That is a front-foot no-ball.

Next one's a beauty as Rahul is beaten on the outside edge.

Rahul then lets the next one go through to the keeper. A dot later, Jansen bowls a sharp bouncer that Rahul plays and misses.

A dot to end the over as a single comes off it.

Rabada continues, a back of length ball rises up, Kohli gets the leading edge but falls in no man's land. He survives.

Short ball next and Kohli hangs back and swivel pulls it over backward square leg for a six, the first maximum of the innings.

Three dots later, full and wide and Kohli latches on to it and creams it through covers for a four as 10 come off it.

Jansen comes around the wicket to Kohli and after a dot, Kohli chips the full ball over cover-point for four. That is a fortunate boundary as he failed to control the shot.

A dot later, Kohli gets a single to square leg before Rahul plays two dots as 5 come off the over.

Rabada is back in the attack as the 3rd session gets underway and after a dot, Kohli gets a couple to mid-wicket.

Kohli then leaves the next two balls alone before the turns his wrists and plays the ball down to square leg for a single.

Rahul then lets the next one go as 3 comes off the over.

18:21

Burger takes three wickets; India have 56 run-lead

Ind 111-4 (24) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

India are 111 for 4 at tea on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.

India have a 56-run lead.

After Mohammed Siraj picked six wickets to have South Africa all out for 56, India began the 2nd session nicely.

Even though Rabada struck early to take out Jaiswal for a duck, Rohit and Gill put on a 55-run stand and scored freely before Nandre Burger came to the party for the hosts.

He then picked up the wickets of Rohit, Gill and Iyer in the last 10 overs. But Kohli (20) is looking in good touch and with KL Rahul (0) for company, India are set to put on a huge first innings total.

Burger was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas with figures of 3 for 42.

Jansen comes over the wicket to Kohli who lets the first ball go to the keeper.

Jansen then hits Kohli on the pad, he appeals, umpire not interested. South Africa take the review. Ball tracking shows impact in line but missing and it's umpire's call. Kohli survives.

Kohli then takes a single off a leg bye.

Jansen then bowls a short bouncer to Rahul who ducks. One for the over says the umpire.

Rahul is then hit on the chest as the ball bounces sharply on pitching.

A dot to end the over as just a single comes off it.

18:06

India lose Gill, Iyer in quick succession

Ind 110-4 (23) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Rahul is the new man in and he plays two dots watchfully.

He is ever so watchful as Burger keeps it full and on target. And that is a wicket maiden!

Burger continues and after a dot, he strikes again! He hits the right length, an the ball angles in across Iyer who gets the outside edge and is caught behind for a duck. India now 4 down.

Iyer is the new man in and Jansen is back in the attack.

Kohli is beaten first ball. After three dots he bowls a no ball.

Kohli then cuts the next ball over point for a four!

A dot to end the over as 5 come off it.

Burger continues and Gill pulls the ball over mid-wicket for a four to start the over with a boundary.

Four dots later, Gill plays at the ball that bounces up, he gets the edge and he is caught at slips by Marco Jansen and he is out for 36.

4 runs and a wicket come off it.

Ngidi continues and 5 runs come in the over as Gill and Kohli rotate the strike.

Burger continues and he is bowling at that short length to keep Kohli guessing. Kohli is beaten on the outside edge as the ball whizzes up and past his off stump.

A dot to end the over and that is a maiden!

Ngidi is back in the attack and after three dots, Gill comes forward and plays the ball to cover point for a couple.

Two dots to end the over as just 2 come off it.

Burger continues and after two dots, Kohli pulls the ball to deep square leg for a couple.

A dot later, Kohli takes a quick single as the ball ricochets off the stumps to no man's land.

A single to end the over as 4 come off it.

17:33

Burger takes out Rohit

Ind 90-2 (16) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Jansen continues and Gill starts the over with a single.

Kohli then leans into the drive as he creams the ball through covers as the ball beats the fielders to the boundary.

Kohli then takes a single next ball.

Two dots later, Gill ends the over with a four through to deep square leg as 10 come off it.

Kohli is the new man in and he starts with a dot. Burger tries show him some heat and Kohli just smiles.

Another dot later, Kohli gets the edge and it flies past third slip to the boundary. Kohli playing away from the body and the drives induces the edge.

Next ball, Kohli just creams the ball down the ground for a four! 8 runs and a wicket come in the over.

Burger continues and Gill starts the over with a sharp single to backward point.

Burger strikes next ball, a full ball jumps off the pitch and takes Rohit's bat to the gully fielder who takes the catch inches from the ground. Rohit is out for 39.

Jansen comes around the wicket to Rohit and that's a maiden!

After drinks, Burger continues and he starts with a full ball on the off side that Gill caresses through the off side for a four!

5 dots to end the over as 4 come off it.

17:19

India take lead

Ind 67-1 (12) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

South Africa bowlers, save Rabada, are giving away too many gift ball for Rohit and Gill to make the most of.

The batters have not only completed a 50-run stand for the 2nd wicket, but have also given India a 12-run lead.

Jansen continues and after three dots, Gill drives the ball through covers for a four!

He then takes a single to bring up the 50-run stand with Rohit.

A dot to end the over as 5 come off it.

Rabada continues and after a dot, he has his man! Rohit is hit on the pads and the umpire raises the finger. India take the review and they retain their review as ball tracking shows missing.

Rabada changing his lengths to trouble Rohit and after 4 dots, Rohit takes a quick single off a leg bye.

Gill then flicks the full ball to mid-wicket for 3 as 4 come off it.

Marco Jansen introduced in the attack now and he is on target first ball as he has hit Rohit on the back pad. Big shout for LBW, no says the umpire. South Africa take the review and the ball tracking shows missing wickets. South Africa lose a review.

Rohit nearly chops on next ball. A dot later, a short bouncer flies over the keeper for a four off byes and India now have a 2-run lead.

A dot later, Rohit plays the ball down to the leg side for a single as 5 come off it.

Rabada continues and he gives just one in the over as Rohit takes a single.

16:53

Rohit in sublime touch

Ind 52-1 (8) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Rohit looks in good nick and his intent is clear as he punishes the bad balls to the boundary as India fight back after early wicket.

Burger continues and after a dot, Rohit gets a four through extra cover.

India's 50 comes off as Rohit drives the full ball through point.

Gill then drives the next ball through the off side for a couple to bring up his 1000 runs in Test cricket. Two dots to end the over.

Rabada then bowls a maiden next.

SA make the first bowling change and Nandre Burger is in the attack now and he is welcomed by 2 back-to-back boundaries by Rohit.

After 2 dots, Rohit gets another boundary and a dot to end the over as 12 come off it.

Rabada continues and he errs in line and length to allow Rohit 5 runs in the over.

Ngidi continues and he bowls two no balls in the over as Gill sees him off safely.

16:27

Jaiswal out for a duck

Ind 17-1 (2.1) vs SA 55 | Scorecard

Gill is the new man in and he flicks the ball in the air past the fielder and he is off the mark with a streaky single.

Another full ball and Rohit plays a dot. Rohit then plays the ball past backward point for a couple.

Rohit lets the next one go through. A dot to end as a wicket and 3 runs come off it.

Rabada continues and he draws first ball as Jaiswal inside edges the ball onto his stumps for a duck! India lose the first wicket.

Ngidi opens at the other end and after a dot, he gets one to move away from Rohit who is made to play at it. No ball for overstepping.

Rohit then gets off the mark with a four as he clips the ball through backward square leg.

Rohit then just punches the ball through covers for consecutive fours.\

Rohit then plays and misses as he tries to attack the length ball!

Rohit then flicks the ball through mid-wicket for another four as 3 fours come in the over.

Yashaswi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma open the batting for India while Kagiso Rabada opens the attack for South Africa and he starts with two balls that swing away from Jaiswal who let them go to the keeper.

India then off the mark with a four with a four off leg byes coming off Jaiswal's pads.

Another leave by Jaiswal next two balls.

Rabada then gets Jaiswal to bat-pad the ball and that is a dot as 4 come off the opening over.

15:46

Siraj has best Test figures

SA 55 (23.2 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Pacer Mohammed Siraj ripped through the South Africa batting line-up with a sensational six-wicket haul as India bowled the home side out for just 55 at lunch on the opening day of the second and final Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Siraj conceded just 15 runs from his nine overs as he triggered an abject surrender from South African batters on a pace-bowling friendly pitch.

6 for 15 is his career-best Test figures.

Captain Dean Elgar's decision to bat first after winning the toss in his farewell Test turned out to be a nightmare for the home side.

Kyle Verreynne made 15 and David Bedingham 12 as all the other remaining South African batters were dismissed for single-digit scores.

Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and Mukesh Kumar (2/0) took the other South African wickets.

Mukesh continues and after a dot he picks the last wicket, that of Rabada for 3 as South Africa all out for 55!

Players will take lunch.

Mukesh bowls a maiden before Bumrah strikes in the next over to take out Burger for 4.

15:23

Mukesh gets a wicket

SA 50-8 (21 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Burger is new man in and Bumrah is back in the attack and Rabada starts the over with a nice drive the ground for a couple.

Bumrah then comes around the wicket and Rabada plays and misses.

Three dots later, Rabada ends the over with a couple past mid-off to bring up South Africa's 50!

Mukesh Kumar in the attack now and he makes Maharaj play and miss first ball!

Maharaj then defends next ball down. Two dots later, Jadeja puts in the stop at backward point to stop the single.

Short ball next, Maharaj pulls the ball, only to hit it straight to mid-on and he is out for 3. Mukesh strikes in his first over.

Prasidh continues and Maharaj plays two dots before he fends off a short ball and takes a single as he plays the ball down. Leg bye called.

Two dots later, Rabada plays and misses as just the single comes in the over.

15:07

He gets his first 6th-wicket haul in Tests

SA 45-7 (18 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Rabada is the new man in and he survives an LBW appeal and SA are now 45 for 7.

Siraj continues and almost another as Verreynne edges one to third man for a couple.

Two dots later, straight ball going down leg and the batter flicks it through mid-wicket for a four!

Siraj then gets the batter to play at one, full and outside and Verreynne gets a thick edge and is caught at second slip. He is out for 15 and South Africa are now 7 down.

Prasidh continues and after a dot, Verreynne takes a single to point.

A dot later, Maharaj drives the ball down the ground for a 3.

Verreynne then takes a single to the leg side before a dot to end the over as 5 come off it.

14:56

South Africa batting in tatters

SA 34-6 (16 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Maharaj is a new man in, he plays a dot and that is a double-wicket maiden for Siraj!

Jansen is the new man in and he plays out two dots, Siraj picks up his 5th wicket as Siraj hits the right length, Jansen prods at it, gets an edge and is caught behind, out for a duck. South Africa batting in tatters.

Siraj continues and after a dot, Siraj strikes again!

The ball takes off from good length, Bedingham tries to defend, gets the edge and he is caught at slips and he is out for 12.

Just when a partnership was about to blossom, Siraj breaks another stand.

Prasidh continues and Bedingham starts the over with a single to covers.

Verreynne is beaten next ball.

Two dots later, he is beaten again on the cut. Dot to end the over as 4 come off it.

Siraj continues and Verreynne is hit on the pads. Big appeal and the umpire raises the finger.

SA take the review and the ball tracking shows it was missing the leg stump.

After three dots, including a fish by the batter, Verreynne punches the ball through covers for 3.

Bedingham ends the over with a single to the leg side. 4 come off the over.

14:39

Siraj has SA under the pump

SA 29-4 (13 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

After an hour of play, it's time for drinks and India have taken the upper hand here.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, South Africa's batters have been totally owned by the Indian bowlers who've bowled a impeccable line and length with Siraj taking 3 wickets and Bumrah getting one.

Prasidh comes into the attack now and Bedingham starts the over with a shot to fine leg for a single.

Two dots later, Verreynne gets an edge on the gloves as he tries to pull but it falls short of the keeper.

A dot later, the batter pulls the ball past mid-wicket for a 3. 4 runs come off the over.

Siraj continues and an inswinger is played to mid-on for a single by Verreynne.

Siraj then bowls another outswinger and Bedingham fishes at it.

Another dot later, Bedingham knocks the ball to the leg side for a single.

Siraj then hits the batter on the pads, on the leg side and Siraj jumps up for an appeal. The umpire not interested.

A dot to end the over as 2 come off it.

Bumrah continues and after a dot, Bedimgham leans into the drive and creams the ball down the ground for a four. The first of the morning!

Two dots later, the inswinger is full and on the pads and Bedingham plays it through square leg for a four. A dot to end the over as 8 runs come off it.

14:22

India owning South Africa batters

SA 15-4 (10 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kyle Verreynne is the new man in and he does well to see off Siraj as that is another wicket maiden

Siraj continues and after a dot, he strikes again!

De Zorzi is next to go. A full ball to the pads, de Zorzi tries to play it down the leg side, only to be caught behind by Rahul for 2.

South Africa now 4 down!

Bedingham is the new man in and he is welcomed by a full, fast ball that he inside edges to his pads. Big shout, umpire is unmoved.

Stubbs then gets a thick outside edge but falls short of Kohli at slips.

Bedingham then ends the over with four byes as 4 runs and a wicket come off it.

Bumrah continues and after a dot, Bumrah gets one to angle in, Stubbs plays it to his pads, the appeal for LBW is turned down.

Bumrah strikes next as Stubbs is caught out by backward square leg for 3.

Bumrah gets one to angle in, he gets some more bounce, Stubbs defends but the ball hits the pads and balloons into the air, Rohit takes a simple catch to send Stubbs to the pavillion.

Siraj continues and he is keeping it just right.

He is keeping it tight, bowling just the right line and length to give nothing away.

After a change of bat for Stubbs, he edges the next ball past backward point for a single.

Bumrah continues and Stubbs plays the full ball to the right of backward point and takes a quick single.

De Zoezi does well to quell the challenge of Bumrah's controlled bowling as just a single comes off it.

14:01

Elgar out for 4

SA 9-2 (6 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Tristan Stubbs is the new man in and after a dot, he gets off the mark in Test cricket with a shaky single as the batters go yes and no before completing the run.

Dot to end the over as a single and wicket come off it.

Siraj continues and Elgar chips it just short of the fielder at forward short leg.

A dot later, Elgar drags the ball onto his stumps as he chops on and he is out for 4. Elgar attempts to play the ball through the off side, only to inside edge it on to his stumps. SA lose 2nd wicket. Siraj gets his 2nd.

Bumrah continues and he starts with a yorker and Elgar does well to dig it out.

Elgar then tickles the next ball to fine leg for a single to bring up his 1000 Test runs vs India.

A dot later, the yorker turns into a full toss and de Zorzi plays it towards backward square leg for a couple.

Bumrah comes around the wicket, he hits the batter on the pads as it comes back in. Big shout for LBW, no says the umpire.

A defensive shot to end the over 3 come off it.

13:51

Markram out for 2

SA 5-1 (4 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

De Zorzi is the new man in and after dot, de Zorzi does well to leave one that cuts him in half, he shoulders the ball to the keeper.

A dot later, the ball going down leg,, there is a noise as Rahul gathers the ball, big shout for caught behind by Siraj but both the umpire and the keeper are not interested. A wicket maiden that!

Siraj continues and after a dot, Siraj gets Markram to edge the next one as he draws him forward, Jaiswal completes a good catch at slip and Markram has to walk back for just 2.

South Africa lose early wicket.

Bumrah continues and after two dots, Bumrah bowls a quick yorker and Elgar does well to get his bat down on time and jams the ball into his pads.

Elgar then leans in and drives the ball to extra cover for a couple.

Two dots to end the over as 2 come off it.

13:42

Bumrah, Sirajj make the ball talk

SA 3-0 (2 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Siraj opens at the other end and Elgar shuffles as it goes off his thigh pad to the keeper. Big shout from the slips but Siraj not intereted.

After two dots, Elgar gets a leading edge. it falls safely to no man's land and Elgar is off the mark with a single.

Marlram then lets the next one go to the keeper.

A forward defence for a dot to end the over as just one comes off it.

Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar open the batting for South Africa while Jasprit Bumrah opens the bowling for India.

And he starts with a dot, the next one comes in and Markram gets off the mark with a couple to backward square to open South Africa's account.

Markram then defends the next one before Bumrah gets one to move away ever so slightly and Markram is beaten on the outside edge.

Again he is beaten on the outside edge next ball as he tries to drive.

He ends the over with a dot as he lets the ball through to the keeper. Two come off the opening over.

13:12

Jadeja comes in for Ashwin

South Africa captain Dean Elgar has won the toss and elected to bat in the 2nd Test vs India, at Newlands in Cape Town.

Elgar is playing his farewell Test.

India make two changes with Ravindra Jadeja coming in for R Ashwin and Mukesh Kumar replaces Shardul Thakur.

It's a debut for Tristan Stubbs who comes in for Temba Bavuma while Ngidi comes in for Coetzee who's also injured. SA also include spinner Maharaj.

Playing XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar

South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Welcome to the updates from Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

News just is that Ravindra Jadeja is fit for selection.

India will look to bounce back on a pitch that is good for batters.

Rohit Sharma, the leader, will need to channelise the champion tactician that resides in him as a desperate India seek to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Test Championship when the second and final Test starts in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Ravindra Jadeja one of India's top all-rounders across formats, will come back to add the requisite middle-order batting balance and steady overs with the old Kookaburra but it will be the skipper's choice of third and fourth pace bowler that will define the embattled team's response.

As harsh as it might sound, no one knows more than Rohit that Prasidh Krishna is pretty undercooked to counter the vagaries of Test cricket and Shardul Thakur's bits and pieces talent will not win him much on most days.

But with three top-order batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer compounding the team's worries with their ineptitude while dealing with the bouncer barrage, Shardul's presence gives the side an assumption of batting depth on paper.

Save K L Rahul in the first innings and Virat Kohli in the second essay, none of the Indian batters could cope with the extra bounce and lateral movement at Centurion.

With one loss and one draw in three Tests in the new World Test Championship cycle, India would be desperate for a win, which will be easier said than done at the picturesque Newlands cricket stadium where the visitors have lost four of their previous six games.

The last six weeks of 2023 haven't exactly been kind to Rohit, who is still trying to pick up the pieces after India's World Cup final defeat.

That final and Rohit have become a tragic love story, and what has added humiliation to the mix is the two and half day defeat at Centurion in the run up to the New Year. The skipper stood as exposed tactically as his batters and bowlers were found to be inept technically in the innings and 32 run defeat.

There would be no better way to start 2024 than a win at the Newlands ground with the breathtaking Table Mountain adding to the scenic backdrop.

But South Africa have had an upper hand against India at this venue and Dean Elgar, who would captain South Africa in his last Test appearance wouldn't want that Rohit becomes the second skipper after Mahendra Singh Dhoni to at least draw a Test series in the Rainbow Nation.

The toss will be crucial at Newlands which is recording temperatures of 33 to 34 degrees and despite decent grass covering, the pitch will be a batting paradise with little help for spinners from either side.

It will therefore not be prudent to retain Ravichandran Ashwin given that Jadeja is fit and available for selection.

2nd Test: South Africa make 62-3 at stumps on Day 1

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