India vs South Africa 1st Test: India’s likely XI at Visakhapatnam

Middle order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari

Ajinkya Rahane

India's middle-order is pretty much settled with Cheteshwar Pujara, skipper Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari occupying spots 3-6.

Pujara had a surprisingly poor series in West Indies, with a best of 27 across four innings. He would be keen to make amends for that against South Africa.

Kohli remained in good nick in West Indies, with half-centuries in both the Tests.

The performances of Rahane and Vihari in West Indies were two of the biggest gains for India from the series. While the Indian vice-captain registered two half-centuries and a much-needed hundred (after a span of two years), Vihari ended up as the man of the series with scores of 32, 93, 111 and 53 not out.

The fact that Vihari can roll his arm over and also open the innings when asked to makes him a rather valuable asset in the current Indian Test set-up.