South Africa v India 2013: 5 Predictions for the Boxing Day Test

After an absolute cliffhanger of a Test match at the Bullring in Johannesburg, South Africa and India will resume battle tomorrow at Durban. A Test on Boxing Day at Kingsmead promises a special atmosphere and hopefully, the cricket will be up there to show as well. Here are 5 predictions as to what might transpire over the 5 days at Kingsmead.

1. The Farewell

Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis, has arguably been the greatest cricketer of this generation. 13174 runs, 292 wickets and 199 catches. Those are staggering numbers for two individuals put together. But when you come to think that Kallis has done that on his own, you know there is something special about the man. There will be arguments as to whether he has been the greatest player in the era, but there will be absolutely no argument that he is South Africa’s greatest ever cricketer. After Kingsmead, South Africa will have to make do without a luxury like all other teams. They wouldn’t have a no.4 batsman, who could act as a strike bowler as well. And, that has been a luxury that has served South African cricket ever since 1995. South Africa will therefore be itching to send Kallis off on a high.

2. The Response

Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn had a poor test in Jo’burg by his lofty standards and he will want to set that right in Durban. Steyn is not used to having a bad Test match, and his return of one wicket having bowled 56 overs over the course of the two innings, would have hurt Steyn. And being the fighter that he is, there is absolutely no doubt that Steyn will come out firing on all cylinders in Durban. Whether he picks wickets or not is another issue, but one can be certain that there will be no lack of effort from Dale Steyn.

3. The Follow-Up

Zaheer Khan

India’s pace trip were outstanding in Jo’burg, and unless there is an injury somewhere, India will field Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami again at Kingsmead. Zaheer showed why he was touted so much, both with his own bowling and mentoring the other two seamers, whereas Ishant and Shami looked particularly threatening. Ishant looked as threatening as he has over the past couple of years, and Shami showed that the series against the West Indies was no flash in the pan. But, all that good work can be undone if they come up short at Kingsmead. So, they will have to ensure that they can keep the pressure on the South African batsmen for long periods of time.

4. The Indian batting

Virat Kohli

All the Indian batsmen, except maybe Shikhar Dhawan, showed that they were ready to bat out long periods of time, and remain patient in their quest for runs. They left a large percentage of balls outside the offstump, and ensured that the bad delivery eventually came from the South African bowlers. Also, in Jo’burg, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli showed real good cricketing sense, by playing out Steyn and Vernon Philander and getting after the lesser recognized bowlers like JP Duminy, and an off-colour Imran Tahir. MS Dhoni will be looking for more of the same from his batsmen, and Shikhar Dhawan will be pleased if he can get into the act as well.

5. The record hangs by a thread

South African team

South Africa have not lost a Test series since February 2009. If they lose in Durban, that proud record will come to an end. Although defeat will not threaten South Africa’s status as the no.1 Test team in the world, there is no doubt that South Africa will be looking to win, and put a marker down ahead of the visit by the Aussies in February. As for India, they will be looking to prove that they are more than worthy as the no.2 Test team, and will go all out for a win. All in all, a cracker of a contest awaits us at Kingsmead.