South Africa vs India 2018: 5 reasons why Proteas can beat India in the Test series

The home season is done and dusted for India. They were dominant at home and won nine consecutive series. But now a tougher challenge awaits as they start a long away sojourn. They first tour South Africa for a three-match Test series which will be followed by six ODIs and three T20Is.

South Africa, on the other hand, have also been in some good form. They recently beat both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe comprehensively and they are very good at home. Hence, this series should be a really competitive one.

However, here we look at 5 reasons why the hosts South Africa can beat the No. 1 Test side in the upcoming Test series.

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#5 South Africa are back to full strength

For what is the first time in two years, South Africa will be going into a series with a full-strength squad. With Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and AB de Villiers suffering from constant injuries in the last couple of years and then with the latter opting to take a break from the longest format, the Proteas were never at full strength.

Faf du Plessis, who missed the historic Day-Night 4-day Test against Zimbabwe due to a shoulder injury, is expected to regain full fitness ahead of the Cape Town Test. Steyn has also recovered from the viral infection that kept him out of the Boxing Day Test. All-rounder Chris Morris is also reportedly fit (he suffered a groin strain during the Ram Slam final three weeks ago).

Now that most of the players who were hampered with injuries have recovered well, the team management is going to have a nice little selection headache before the first Test.

With 5 quality pacers in the ranks, one or two might have to sit out depending on the combination the hosts decide on (playing 4 or 5 bowlers). If they go in with 5 bowlers, the call on AB de Villiers becomes very interesting. With skipper Faf du Plessis likely to come back and Temba Bavuma performing well, it will be interesting to see what call the management takes on De Villiers.

#4 Home conditions

The picturesque Newlands stadium in Cape Town will host the first Test

Like most teams around the world, South Africa have been very good at home in the past few years. From the start of 2012, they’ve lost only four Tests (two against Australia and two against England) out of the 25 they’ve played at home.

The last three series South Africa have played at home (including the one-off game against Zimbabwe), they’ve whitewashed all three opponents. Though they’ve been slightly weaker oppositions (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe), the Proteas have dominated every series and didn’t give a sniff to any opposition.

Also, the players are accustomed to the conditions and have been playing at home in the last three months (Tests and domestic cricket). Hence, South Africa will be tough to beat at home.

#3 India’s vulnerability

Pujara, Kohli and Rahane will hold the key for India

There is no doubt that India have been very consistent and dominant over the last couple of years. In fact, they are on a nine-Test series winning streak. However, they’ve managed to achieve all this while largely playing at home (six home series). The three away series they played were in Sri Lanka (twice) and West Indies. Hence, they will be facing a tough challenge away from home for the first time in three years.

There is one more area which South Africa can exploit. We’ve often seen that the Indian batsmen have been vulnerable to the moving ball. The Test match in Kolkata, ODI in Dharamsala (both against Sri Lanka), the T20I in Guwahati (against Australia) are a testament to the aforementioned weakness.

Thus, if the conditions are conducive to swing and seam, India might struggle to put up decent scores.

#2 Solid Batting line-up

Elgar and Markram have done well together in the limited outings they've batted together

Over the last 18 months, the South African batting line-up has largely remained the same. Also, they’ve been pretty consistent. The only problem was they didn’t have a fixed opening partner for Dean Elgar.

However, that problem seems to have been solved. Aiden Markram has shown he has the temperament and ability to perform at the big stage. Also, Markram and Elgar have done well as an opening pair.

At No. 3, South Africa have the ever-dependable Hashim Amla. Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock form a solid middle-order. And now AB de Villiers has made a successful come back in the Test arena. With Chris Morris and Vernon Philander coming in lower down the order, it ensures that the Proteas bat deep.

Hence, South Africa’s batting looks strong and solid.

#1 Pace Attack

Rabada has been brilliant for the Proteas over the last couple of years

South Africa are finally back to a full strength pace attack. Dale Steyn has finally recovered from his long shoulder injury (which he sustained in Australia in November 2016). Chris Morris also has recovered from his injuries (he last played against England in July 2017).

Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel have been in and out of the team with injuries, but now look fully fit. Both of them along with Kagiso Rabada (who has remained injury-free) have formed a lethal attack. And with Steyn and Morris looking fit, it forms a deadly pace attack.

With all the pacers fit and raring to go, South Africa have lots of variety to choose. Every bowler adds a different dimension to the team. And with Rabada and Morkel in red-hot form and Philander a master of the moving ball, these three could trouble the Indian batsmen.

Steyn has also looked good in the domestic Ram Slam T20. Also, he is just five wickets away from overtaking Shaun Pollock’s tally (421 wickets) and becoming South Africa’s most successful fast bowler.

Hence, with a fit and firing South African pace attack, they hold the key to their success in the upcoming series against India.