India vs South Africa 2019, 2nd Test: Preview, predicted XI, weather report, head-to-head stats, pitch report and more

After a 203-run win against South Africa at Visakhapatnam, India would want to continue their dominant home run and seal the series with a win in the second Test at Pune. On the other hand, the visitors would aim to secure their first win on Asian soil in four years and keep the series alive.

The Proteas will be motivated after their batting display in the first innings of the first Test made the Indian bowlers toil hard for the wickets, unlike their previous tour in 2015. The Francois du Plessis-led side would want to draw positives out of that match and fix the issues that led to their downfall in the second innings.

It will be a great challenge for their bowling group to put up a better show in Pune with the spinners under pressure after their below-par showing in Vishakhapatnam.

Thus, both teams will have different motives going into the second Test. While India would hope to better their record at the MCA stadium in Pune, the Proteas would want to put to bed their recent woes on Indian shores.

Here is all you need to know about the encounter.

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Match details

Date: 10th October, 2019 (Thursday)

Time: 9:30 AM IST

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

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Weather report

Weather is likely to play spoilsport for the duration of the game. Like the first Test, thunderstorms and rain might be a regular appearance in Pune too. However, with the stadium being a sand-based ground, it would require around half an hour for the match to resume once the rain stops, owing to the excellent drainage facilities at the MCA stadium.

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Pitch Report

In its first ever Test match between India and Australia in 2017, the pitch in Pune drew a lot of criticism after the match was wrapped up within three days. However, with some rain around during the match, the pitch this time is expected to assist seam bowling. The batsman might also enjoy their time if the sun comes out.

In all, it will be a true sporting wicket offering equal opportunities to both batsman and bowlers to create an impact.

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Head-to-head stats

Total matches played: 37

India: 12

South Africa: 15

Draw: 10

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Predicted XI

After a complete performance in the first Test, India might opt to go unchanged in the second Test, which might mean another game on the bench for Rishabh Pant.

India XI (Probable): Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami

On the other hand, South Africa will have a lot of thinking to do. They might consider roping in another fast bowler in place of Vernon Philander and drop one spinner to play an additional batsman.

South Africa XI (Probable): Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Francois du Plessis (C), Zubayr Hamza, Quinton de Kock (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

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Live coverage and streaming details

The game will be telecast across the Star Network on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD.

The match will also be streamed live on Hotstar.

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