India is going to face South Africa in the first match of test series tomorrow at Super Sport Park, Centurion. The test series include three matches which will
be held on Dec, 16, 26 and January 2.
Indian team having world class batsmen and excellent bowlers is led by competent Dhoni, who has not lost a single test series in two years. Although India is
lagging behind a little in fielding as compared to other world class teams, they don’t miss too many catches. In addition, this is the biggest Indian team to tour South Africa ever and they have a chance to win this time, because of presence of veterans Sachin,
Dravid, and Laxman who would be playing in their last tour here.
Sachin Tendulkar has been playing well throughout this year, and leads one of the strongest bating line-ups. He averages a respectable 39.76 in SA from 12 matches,
with an unforgettable 169 as his highest score. His improvement on these stats would make India dominant in batting. The 37-year-old Tendulkar has more Test runs (14,366) and centuries (49) than any other player in cricket history.
Virender Sehwag’s average in South Africa is 26.44, compared to an ‘away’ average of 50.67. He holds one half of the world’s most feared opening partnership.
His contest with Styen and Morkel will be challenging.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 will have a great opportunity to go in the record books as the first Indian skipper to lead his team to victory against South Africa. Although, he is
a consistent keeper but his batting fluctuates at times. He has scored 98 in the recent innings but being captain this time he has to boost up his team’s courage by his excellent performance.
Zaheer Khan is India’s most important bowler and a great threat to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 but he has fitness issue nowadays. His absence might put the Indians under pressure.
Harbhajan Singh, an all-rounder, will prove to be a challenge for opponents for his batting and bowling as well.
On the other hand, South Africa has powerful batting line-up, which can challenge the opponents by adding high scores. Smith, Amla, Kallis and De Villiers will
give tough time to Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman. The area where South Africa is far stronger than their rival India is their excellent ground fielding which could help them in winning the series. Since South Africa's re-admission to international cricket
in 1992, they have won all four home series against India. India have played 12 Tests, and only won one.
Graeme Smith, the captain is one of the best openers in international cricket and has never made a century against India in ten matches falling to Zaheer, and
Sreenath four times each.
Hashim Amla will really prove to be a tough challenge for India. He has made an excellent score in his last series against India.
Jacks Kallis a consistent batsman, forms one of the strongest middle orders in the game. In addition his catching at slips and breakthroughs with the ball –
as always could turn into a risk for India.
De Villiers, being the super star of International cricket, is expected to break new records in this series as he has done unbeaten 278 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. If
India is unable to get him out early, they will have to pay a heavy penalty in the shape of defeat.
India’s biggest threat to landmark series is “Dale Styen” having overall bowling average 23.77 with a SR of 40.4, against India; it drops to 20 and 36.3 respectively.
His contest with Sehwag will prove to be interesting. Styen and Morkel form the frightening partnership comparable to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s Sehwag and Gambir.
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