Predicted South Africa XI for the 1st Test

South Africa won the T20 and the ODI series against IndiaSouth Africa has achieved wonderful results on the Indian tour so far. They started off with a win in the T20 series and then outplayed India in the ODI series to clinch it as well. They haven’t lost a test series away from home from last 9 years and India will have their work cut out in the upcoming test series.South Africa has some experienced players along with players who are trying to carve a niche for themselves and it will be interesting to see how all these players cope up with the Indian conditions.So who will be the players in the South Africa’s playing X1 in the first test, let’s try and predict it:

#1 Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar will open for South Africa in the first test

Dean Elgar is a left-handed batsman who has played 17 tests for South Africa.He has scored 828 runs at an average of 39.42. He was also called for the ODI series as a replacement for JP Duminy.

Elgar will have an important role to play in the test series. He will have to make sure that he doesn’t get out to the seamers and is well set when the spinners come on to bowl. It will reduce the burden of the middle order.

#2 Stiaan van Zyl

Proteas need Stiaan van Zyl to provide solid starts with Dean Elgar in the first test

Stiaan van Zyl is a left-handed batsman who will accompany Dean Elgar as the opener. The 28-year-old southpaw has played 5 tests for the Proteas and scored 230 runs at an average of 76.66.

Though his international career is in the nascent stage but he has the experience of 110 first class games. There will be a lot of expectations from van Zyl to perform as an opener and provide a solid start to the Proteas along with Dean Elgar.

#3 Faf du Plessis

Faf will play at the crucial number three spot

Faf du Plessis made an impression in test cricket straightaway in his debut test series when he scored heaps of runs down under against the Australians. A player of immense potential, he has taken the number three spot after the retirement of Jacques Kallis.

Faf has played 22 tests for South Africa and scored 1495 runs at an average of 51.55. He will be a key player for South Africa and his good performances on the Indian tour will go a long way in maintaining the no-loss-away streak of his team.

#4 Hashim Amla (Captain)

Hashim Amla will lead the Proteas in the test series

Hashim Amla will take the fourth spot in the batting lineup for South Africa. Hashim Amla has been prolific all over the world and he has scored heaps of runs against the Indians in their own backyard as well.

A player of immense talent and patience, Amla will have to play a big role if South Africa want to perform well in the test series. Amla will also lead the Proteas and his captaincy skills will be tested in challenging conditions.

#5 AB de Villiers

Can de Villiers neutralize Indian spinners?

AB de Villiers has already left a mark on this Indian tour with three centuries in the ODI series and he will be eager to perform in the test series as well. He can play an aggressive role as well as take rearguard action in the tests.

De Villiers will play in the middle order and will face plenty of balls from the Indian spinners. If South Africa wants success in the test series, de Villiers’ performance against the spinners has to be really good.

#6 JP Duminy

JP Duminy will be a crucial player for South Africa in the first test

If JP Duminy gets fit for the first test then he will be an automatic choice for the number sixth spot in the Proteas lineup. Just like de Villiers, Duminy will face a lot of balls by the Indian spinners and his performance against them will hold the key for South African success.

Duminy’s record in test matches is a little below par as he averages 35.55 in the 29 tests he has played so far. Duminy’s off spin will also come in handy for the Proteas on what can be a turning track on offer.

#7 Dane Vilas

Can Dane Vilas perform in Indian conditions?

Dane Vilas will be the specialist keeper for South Africa in the first test. Picked ahead of Quinton de Kock in the test series, he would like to perform in the series so as to establish a permanent spot in the test side.

Vilas made his debut this year against Bangladesh, but the persistent rain in the match didn’t allow him a chance to show his talent. Vilas has been a consistent scorer in first class games with an average of 40.78 in 74 matches. He would like to keep up his form in the international setup as well.

#8 Vernon Philander

Vernon Philander will be tested in Indian conditions

Vernon Philander made a grand entry in test matches when he picked up heaps of wickets in his first few games and was literally unplayable in the South African conditions. His record has faced a slight downfall in the matches after that.

Philander will be the third seamer in the first test for the South African team and they will hope he performs well in the match.Philander is also a handy batsman lower down the order and his batting skills can come in handy for the Proteas.

#9 Simon Harmer

Can Simon Harmer shoulder the spinner’s responsibility for Proteas

South Africa will probably go in with only 1 spinner in the first test considering their strength is fast bowling and Mohali track is slightly helpful for the seamers as well as JP Duminy can chip in as the second spinner.

Though Proteas have picked 3 spinners for the tour but they might go in with Simon Harmer considering that he has been their first choice spinner for the last 3 tests. Imran Tahir isn’t the same bowler in tests as he is in limited overs and Dane Piedt is coming back from an injury and might lose out to Harmer who is already playing.

#10 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn will lead the South African bowling in the test series

I have no doubt that Dale Steyn will go down as an all-time test matches great when he will retire. He will be the spearhead of the South African bowling in the test series and a lot will depend for South Africa on how he performs.

Steyn has tasted a fair amount of success on the previous Indian tours and his spell in Nagpur remains one of the best spells by an overseas bowler in India in recent times. Steyn vs Indian batting will be a contest to watch out for in the series.

#11 Morne Morkel

Morne Morkel can prove to be a tough bowler to handle for the Indians

The tall and fast Morne Morkel showed his worth in the ODIs by hitting the deck and generating uneven bounce. His height and pace are his biggest assets and he will be a handful for the Indian batters if he gets his act right in the test series.

Morkel will play the supporting role to Dale Steyn and if he puts pressure on the batsmen from end, Steyn can reap rich rewards. Similarly, he can cash in on the pressure built at the other end with his bounce and pace. Morkel will be crucial for the South African success on this tour.