India vs South Africa 2018: 5 players who could decide the Test series

India is scheduled to tour South Africa in January for a full-fledged series which includes 3 Tests. The Indian team is playing an away Test after a gap of 17 months and some of the Indian players are touring South Africa for the first time in their career.

Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers are expected to make their comebacks but their participation is still unknown. Even without them, South Africa boasts a formidable lineup. The Indian team is having a great 2017 at home, and they will be looking to prove themselves in the away conditions as well.

Both teams possess some great players but here, we will talk about the players who will make a big impact in the Test series.

#5 Dean Elgar

The Proteas batsman has been one of the most consistent players for South Africa in 2017, and the second highest run scorer in Tests during the calendar year.

The 30-year-old left-handed opener has scored 1097 runs from 11 Tests in 2017 at an average of 54.85, with 5 hundreds and 4 fifties.

In South Africa, Elgar has scored 1460 runs from 20 Tests with six hundreds and four fifties, at an average of 56.15. His last 8 innings in South Africa read 113, 18, 119, 27, 55, 129, 52, and 45.

The start will be crucial and Elgar has provided a good one with the bat more often than not for South Africa in the last 12 months. He has the temperament and patience to play long innings and will look to start 2018 with a bang.

#4 Cheteshwar Pujara

2nd Test - Australia v India: Day 1

One of the most technically correct batsmen in modern day cricket, Pujara has played the role of a Test specialist for the Indian team over the last few years.

In 2017, Pujara has scored 1140 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 67.05, with 4 hundreds and 5 fifties. He is the leading run scorer in Tests for 2017 and one of the most prolific run-getters in Tests.

The 29-year-old from Rajkot has scored 280 runs from 2 Tests in South Africa at an average of 70 with one massive hundred. He is one of the most successful Indian batsmen in away conditions, and a lot of responsibility rests on his shoulders.

His ability to wear down bowlers will be key if India are to succeed in South Africa. He is the linchpin of this Indian batting line up and an important player for Virat Kohli.

#3 Hashim Amla

South Africa v England - Second Test: Day Three

Hashim Amla is one of the most prolific run-getters in all formats of the game over the last few years. Batting at No. 3, Amla provides stability to the South African batting line-up in Tests.

In 2017, the 34-year-old has played 11 Tets and scored 942 runs. With three hundreds and four fifties, Amla averages 50 in Test cricket.

His stats are even better in home conditions. Amla averages 80.13 in Supersport Park, 48 in Newlands, and 55 in Johannesburg.

His last 4 innings in South Africa read 132, 28, 137, and 134. His ability to occupy the crease for a long time will be the key to this aggressive South African batting line up. If not dismissed early in his innings, Amla could dent India - and badly.

#2 Virat Kohli

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 3

With six scores of 200+ in the last 18 months, Virat Kohli has been one of the most consistent run-getters in international cricket for the last few years. He is having a fantastic 2017, with series wins over England, Australia, and Sri Lanka

Kohli has scored 1059 runs in 2017 from 10 Tests. He averages 75.64 with three double hundreds, two hundreds and one fifty. His last four innings in Tests show a score of 50, 243, 213, and 104*.

This will be Kohli's second tour of South Africa and in his previous tour, the skipper has scores of 119, 96, 46, and 11, averaging 68. He will be India's trump card to dominate the intimidating SA's bowling line up.

His captaincy skills will be put to a real test for the first time, and how well Kohli can handle it will have a big say in the outcome of the series.

#1 Kagiso Rabada

South Africa v Bangladesh - Day 3

Young, fast, and deadly. There is no better way to describe a man who can possibly give nightmares to the Indian batsmen. Kagiso Rabada has been the standout performer for the hosts during the last 12 months.

In 2017, Rabada has taken 54 wickets in Tests at an average of 20.96. His stats look even better in home conditions as Rabada averages 18.10 in South Africa.

In the absence of Dale Steyn, the 22-year-old did exceptionally well for South Africa in 2017, helping them to a series win over Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

Indian batsmen always struggled against pace and bounce and Rabada is exactly the kind of bowler to trouble them. With games scheduled in Centurion and Cape Town, Rabada will enjoy bowing against India on a fast and bouncy wicket. He has all the abilities to single-handedly win the series for South Africa.