India's predicted XI to take on South Africa in the 2nd Test

The Indian cricket team suffered a 72 run loss against South Africa in the first Test held at Newlands in Cape Town.

While the bowlers were on top of their game, the Indian batsmen were not able to do much against the wrath of the South Africa bowling attack.

There were a few questionable selection decisions made by Virat Kohli and the team management which did not go their way.

With the second Test coming up in a few days, team management will look to shake things so that India can bounce back and level the series.

In this article, we take a look at India's predicted XI for the second Test to be held at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Openers:

Murali Vijay:

The 'monk' made a comeback to the Indian Test side against Sri Lanka after a lengthy layoff and scored two spectacular centuries in two matches.

Unfortunately, he was unable to carry on his form into the first Test against South Africa as he was dismissed for 1 and 13 in the two innings he played. He fell to Vernon Philander on both the occasions.

However, the team management will continue to persist with him given his success with the bat over the past couple of years.

KL Rahul:

There was a lot of speculation regarding whether KL would be selected for the first Test or not. However, Shikhar Dhawan was chosen instead given his recent run of form. This move did not pay dividends as Dhawan hardly troubled the scorers in both the innings.

Rahul, who has been brilliant in Tests for India over the past year and a half will most likely be given a chance to prove himself in the second Test and cement his place in the side for the future.

Middle-order:

Cheteshwar Pujara:

Enter caption

A lot was expected off India's best Test batsman in the harsh South African conditions. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to do much. He started off well in the first innings but was unable to convert his start into a big score as he was dismissed for 26.

He did not make an impact in the second innings either as he was dismissed to a peach of a delivery bowled by Morne Morkel.

He will look to make amends in the second Test and show the world what he is capable of.

Virat Kohli

The Indian captain faced one of the sternest Test of his captaincy career so far against the Proteas in Cape Town.

Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful as India succumbed to a defeat. Kohli himself was not effective with the bat. He got off to a good start in the 2nd innings but was unable to guide India over the line.

He will look to achieve his first ever win as a captain in South Africa and get India back in the series.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane's exclusion from the playing XI came as a big surprise to everyone. The reason for this was his poor run of form over the past few months.

However, his record overseas is incredible and Kohli should have persisted with him in the middle order.

Since Rohit Sharma failed to deliver, Rahane will be brought back for the 2nd Test and he will look to cement his place in the side once again.

Wriddhiman Saha:

The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was one amongst the many Indian batsmen who failed to deliver in the first Test.

He was sharp behind the stumps and was involved in a lot of dismissals. Unfortunately, he did not make much of an impact with the bat.

He will look to get back the form he showed in India's extended home season last year where he scored three centuries.

Hardik Pandya

The 24-year-old all-rounder was the reason why India were still in the Test after a disastrous beginning to their first innings with the bat.

He helped India reach a respectable first-innings total after scoring a quick-fire 93. He was effective with the ball as well picking up two wickets in each innings.

He will continue to be India's trump card throughout the series and he will hope to become an integral part of the India's Test line-up for the future.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Given the conditions of the pitch, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled only eight overs in the entire match and picked up two wickets in the first innings.

He batted a lot more than he bowled and was India's highest run scorer in the second innings. At one point, it looked like he would get India back in the game, but was dismissed at the wrong moment.

He will hope to bowl a few more overs in the upcoming matches and prove his worth overseas.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was arguably India's best player in the first Test. He ripped through the South African top order in the first innings and gave India the perfect start.

He picked up two important wickets in the second innings as well.

Along with his bowling, it was his batting which impressed everyone. He got India back into the game in the first innings by playing second fiddle to Hardik Pandya and almost did the same in the second innings.

He will be one of India's most important players in the upcoming Tests as well.

Mohammad Shami

The 27-year-old did not get off to a great start with the ball in the first-innings as he picked up just one wicket and gave away quite a few runs.

However, he bounced back in the second innings and picked up three crucial wickets to dismiss South Africa for 130 and give India a fighting chance to win the game.

He will look to remain fit for the rest of the series and hope to continue picking up lots of wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah

While Rohit Sharma's selection was not justified after his poor performance, Jasprit Bumrah proved to everyone as to why he is a force to reckon with in Tests as well.

He picked up just one wicket in the first innings but bounced back in the second innings and picked up three wickets.

There is a possibility that he might be dropped for Ishant Sharma in the second Test but the team management will most likely give him another go.