SWOT analysis of South Africa's Test squad to tour India

Threats:

The Proteas will have to look beyond Dale Steyn.

2019 has not been an ideal year for South Africa. The roteas finished 7th in the points table in the 2019 World Cup. Sri Lanka beat South Africa in South Africa by a margin of 2-0 in the two- match Test series early this year. The likes of Dale Steyn and Amla have announced their retirement from Test cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah is in the form of his life.

The South African team will have a tough time touring India. India have lost just on series at home in the last seven years. South Africa were thrashed 3-0 in the four-match Test series during their last tour of India. It will be difficult for the young and inexperienced South African batsmen to score big runs against the likes of Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Spin will play a vital role in the Tests and the South African batsmen will have to find a way to negotiate the Indian spinners.

The Indian batting is a strong one comprising of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari and South African spinners will have to get through the Indian middle-order quickly. If the spinners fail to back up the pace bowlers, Indian batsmen will score big.

The series promises to be an exciting one with the hosts starting as favourites, However, if South Africa bat well in the series, they have got the fast bowlers to win them matches. The fight for the vital 120 points will be reflected in the three match Test series with both teams looking to pocket points early in the World Test Championship.