BENGALURU : Gaining momentum with a thumping 108 run victory to go one-up in Mohali, India will be looking to continue its spin attack when it takes on South Africa in the second test being played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium here from tomorrow.
India is set to field five bowlers with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, who proved their supermacy in the Mohali test forming the spin trio while Ishant Sharm, who has recovered from injury likely to partner with Varun Aaron at the expense of Umesh Yadav.
The batting line-up may see a change if the management decide to reshuffle the top order and think of bringing in K L Rahul or Rohit Sharma at the top if Shikhar Dhawan failes to keep up his place to partner with in-form Murali Vijay at the top. While bowlers did the job for India, the batsmen also contributed well with Vijay being the top scorer for India in the low scoring first test. The Tamil Nadu batsman has given stability to the top order.
However it will be vital for the home team that Kohli comes up with a good score and Ajinkya Rahane too gets into the groove which will be the key for the home team to have an upper hand.
After not so impressive start to the series losing Twenty20 and One-day series India had bounced back winning the first test and captain Virat Kohli said the team would look to consolidate its position as the wicket here is likely to take turn and help the Indian spinners.
Speaking to reporters here today, Kohli said all the players were fit and he faced no fitness issues in the team. ”There is a home advantage as I and many others being familiar with the ground/pitch conditions. Playing conditions is an advantage as they will be helpful inputs.”
On Ab de Villers playing his 100th test tomorrow, Kohli said as an individual, the South African was a great human being and among the top four-five batsmen in the world. He is very committed and devoted to the game. ”Though we play together in the IPL as part of RCB team, playing for the country or representing the country is different.”
On selection of players for the second test Kohli said the team management will decide the final combination after studying the playing conditions, pitch, weather and performance. ”The challenge is to get the right combination keeping in view the history of pitch, which takes turn after first two days,” he said.
Changes, if any, will be made according to the conditions. I will rather go for a good seam bowler who will control the game better than bowl for the sake of bowling as a gap between spinners or others, he added.
South Africa has been hampered by injuries to key players as its spearhead Dale Steyn is still not fully fit through he took part in practice sessions yesterday and today, while the visitors lost one of the main cogs of its bowling attack as fast bowler Vernon Philander got injured during practice session with a twisted ancle is flying back home. However, he will be replaced by Kyle Abbott who did well in T-20s and ODI during this series. Fast bowler Morne Morkel is also fit to come back into the side while key all-rounder J P Duminy, who has also recovered from injury. (UNI)
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