The three-match test series between South Africa and India is interestingly poised at 1-1. The score line makes the series finale at Cape Town a tantalizingly hot contest, as both India and South Africa will be eyeing to register a historic win.
Should India win, they will have registered their maiden test-series victory on South African soil; something the hosts would be desperately weary to avoid. So with the stakes set so massively high for the winner-takes-all clash, let’s preview the all important third test match at Newlands, Cape Town, with our pitch report and in-depth analysis.
Team Form
With captain Virat Kohli declared match fit for the Newlands test, India, for one, will have a big decision to make on team composition. Virat’s shoe-in, Hanuma Vihari, played a crucial unbeaten knock of 40 runs in the second innings. Ideally, that should allow him to retain his place in the team’s fragile middle order; meaning one of Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara is almost certain to miss out. However, historically, India has shown a tendency to back its senior players in knockout games, so it would be unwise to count them out just yet.
On the bowling front, Virat and co. could make a bold decision of dropping Ravichandran Ashwin and playing a five-man fast bowling attack. However, Ashwin’s batting prowess has proven to be a handy asset on this tour so far; especially given Rishabh Pant’s indifferent form with the bat. The team should back their ace spinner to come good in a venue which has been (relatively) more conducive to slow bowlers than any other surface in the country.
Meanwhile, the hosts might have to take a call on Aiden Markram’s position in the team. The promising 27-year-old seems to have lost the brilliant form that he showed a few months back in the WT20. In case Markram has to be dropped from the side, 32-year-old uncapped batsman Sarel Erwee would, in all likelihood, making his debut. Bowling-wise, all but Keshav Maharaj have looked in decent wicket-taking form. They are likely to stick to the same combination, but should there be a need for change, George Linde remains a formidable back-up option.
Cape Town Cricket Stadium Test Records
An interesting albeit somewhat concerning stat for team India ahead of the Newlands test is that they are yet to register a win at this venue. In five outings, India has managed two draws and three defeats in Cape Town. Could this all-important clash be the end of India’s unlucky streak on this ground?
Most runs (among active cricketers involved in this series) at Cape Town: Dean Elgar, 708-runs from 10 matches @ 50.57.
Most wickets: Kagiso Rabada: 35-wickets from 6 games @ 21.54
Highest Team total: South Africa 651 vs Australia, 2009
Lowest Team Total: South Africa, 35 all-out vs England, 1899
Highest Individual Score: Stephen Fleming (New Zealand), 262 vs South Africa, 2006
Best Bowling Figures in an innings: Johnny Briggs (England), 8/11 vs South Africa, 1889
Newlands Cape Town Pitch Report
Among all cricket venues in South Africa, Newlands has been the most conducive one for spinners. Johnny Briggs, a left-arm-orthodox spinner, validates this claim as having the best bowling figures on this ground. Another interesting fact is that the Newlands’ pitch has been conducive in producing matches with results, with only a small percentage of test matches ending in a draw.
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Cape Town Weather Report during IND vs SA Test
The first two days of the test match are going to be quite cloudy, with some extra chances of rain on the first day. Thankfully, the remaining three days have a sunny weather forecast, so fans should be able to enjoy some amount of quality test cricket.