South Africa vs India 2018: 5 talking points from the Newlands Test

Both teams went in with five bowling options

There was some disbelief among a few experts during the toss when Kohli and du Plessis announced their playing XI. While South Africa opted to go with a four-pronged pace attack along with a left arm spinner in Keshav Maharaj, India decided to include the all-rounder Hardik Pandya and hand over the debut to slinging fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. But the bigger decision was to include Rohit Sharma in place of Ajinkya Rahane, who has a very good record outside Asia.

Kohli’s gamble of playing five bowling options looked a positive move but that meant the team was a batsman short. In conditions that help the bowlers, it’s always good to have that cushion of an extra batsman because more often than not, the fifth bowler will have very little to do. I feel both teams got it wrong with the team combination by playing a batsman short.