5 reasons why South Africa might struggle against Team India in the upcoming Test series

The countdown to a riveting Test series between the top two ranked Test nations has begun. Though South Africa have had the upper hand over Team India in the past, India will look to settle scores this time around in the rainbow nation.

South Africa have won five of the six Test series played between the two nations in South Africa and one series in 2010 ended with the scoreline at 1-1. Out of 17 Tests played in South Africa, India have won only two, lost eight and seven have ended in a draw. This leads us to the conclusion that South Africa has not been a happy hunting ground for Team India as far as Test cricket is concerned.

The Indians would be aiming to better their record against the South Africans and should look to cash in on the following weaknesses of the hosts to create history by winning their first ever Test series in South Africa.

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#5 Unsettled opening combination

As far as their opening batsmen are concerned, the South Africans have had a tough time in finding a partner for Dean Elgar. Stephen Cook was the preferred option until the tour of New Zealand in March 2017. Thereafter, Cook was overlooked and he made way for Heino Kuhn, who made his Test debut in England. However, he averaged just 14.12 in his four Tests and was then not considered for selection for the series against Bangladesh.

Aiden Markram was brought in to replace Kuhn, and he made an impressive debut scoring a century against the hapless Bangladeshi bowling attack. Though Markram has started his international career on a positive note, India, in comparison, has a better bowling attack which may life difficult for Markram. The series against India will be an acid test for him and it will determine whether he really belongs to the big stage.

#4. Absence of a genuine all-rounder

South Africa have failed to produce a genuine all rounder after the retirement of Jacques Kallis

South Africa have always produced quality all rounders which has led to their dominance in international cricket. The likes of Brian McMillan, Shaun Pollock, Kallis and Lance Klusener have contributed to quite a few South African test wins against India.

Jacques Kallis, specifically, single-handedly redefined the definition of an all-rounder, and he was always amongst the runs as well as picking up crucial wickets against India. The presence of all rounders in the playing XI always provided the right balance and the depth in both batting and bowling for the South Africans.

However, of late South Africa have failed to produce any such quality all rounders. Chris Morris in his short stint of four Tests has been far from impressive as he averages 24.71 with the bat and 38.25 with the ball. Wayne Parnell too cannot be defined as an all rounder; his Test batting average of 16.75 and bowling average of 27.60, not making a good enough case for him.

South Africa have struggled to produce a genuine all rounder after the retirement of Kallis, which is adversely affecting their team combination.

#3. Lack of depth in spin bowling

Keshav Maharaj will be tested against Indian batsmen

Though the pitches for the three-Test series against India in Cape Town, Centurion and Johannesburg will be suitable for pace bowling, the role of a spinner in the playing XI, especially on days four and five of a Test, cannot be ignored.

Keshav Maharaj has had an impressive start to his Test career picking up 51 wickets in 13 Tests. It is interesting to note that Maharaj has so far bowled against batsmen from Australia, New Zealand, England and Bangladesh and has tasted success against them; all the teams with the exception of Bangladesh have traditionally struggled against spinners.

Indian batsmen, on the other hand, play quality spin bowling on a regular basis in domestic cricket and unless the pitches offer exceptional turn (which is next to impossible), Maharaj will struggle against the likes of Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Rohit who are very good players of spin.

Spin bowling has always been one of the weaknesses of the South African team and it seems to continue in the upcoming Test series too.

#2. The long exile of Dale Steyn and A.B. De Villiers from Test cricket

AB has not played a Test since January 2016 and Steyn last played a Test in November 2016

In all likelihood, two contemporary legends of South African cricket are set to make a return to international cricket after a long exile. Dale Steyn last played a Test for South Africa in November 2016 and since then has been out of international cricket due to an injury. Though he has made rapid strides in domestic cricket since his comeback from the injury, the 34-year old pace bowler will be aware that Test cricket is a different ball game and he might no longer be able to bowl the long spells he used to bowl a few seasons ago.

It will also be interesting to see how his body copes with the hectic schedule of three back-to-back matches and whether he can stay fit for all 15 days of the series.

AB de Villiers, similarly, has also not played Test cricket for almost two years. His last Test was against England in January 2016. The long break from Test cricket can have its advantages as well as disadvantages. Though AB has been featuring on a regular basis in limited overs cricket for the Proteas, Test cricket sure has its own perils. AB is 33-years old now and might look to quit Test cricket in the near future to prolong his ODI and T20 career.

Together, Steyn and AB have been great servants of South African cricket and have scripted many great victories for South Africa. However, injuries have kept them away from Test cricket for quite a long time and it will be interesting to see how their comeback shapes up in the format which is termed the ultimate test of cricket.

#1. Lack of match practice

The South Africans in huddle before taking the field

South Africa last played a Test match in the second week of October this year and it will be more than two months since they took the field as a Test unit. On the other hand, team India has just competed against Sri Lanka in a three-match Test series and all the players have had real match practice.

Being away from Test cricket for a couple of months might lead to the South Africans being a little rusty when they take the field against the Indians. The Indians, on the other hand, would be looking to take full advantage of the same. If India will succeed in registering their first ever test series win on South African soil or not, is something we will need to wait and watch.