The greatest thing in the lead up to a big Test match, one that is anticipated by both teams and fans of the game around the world, is the speculation over who will make the final XI
Dale Steyn. Pic/Getty Images
The greatest thing in the lead up to a big Test match, one that is anticipated by both teams and fans of the game around the world, is the speculation over who will make the final XI. When India rocked up in Newlands, the venue of the first Test match, having spent the last few days practising at the Western Province Cricket Club, the early indications were that Shikhar Dhawan's ankle had not yet healed enough for him to stride out to the middle to take the first ball. KL Rahul and M Vijay were the first Indian openers at the nets and each had a long stint, facing spin, pace and throw downs, watched over keenly by Sanjay Bangar, the batting coach. Eventually Dhawan also batted, but this was well after the main stars of the top six had their net.
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While it's dangerous to read too much into the order in which batsmen take guard in the nets three days before the start of a Test, India have been more than comfortable tweaking their batting and bowling line-ups in the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era. It also helps that Vijay and Rahul are good leavers of the ball, an essential trait for playing the ball moving off the pitch and in the air, while Dhawan is the sort of batsman who likes to attack.
"Its always important to leave the ball well especially when you play overseas. Once you move out of India or Asian soil, there is enough bounce and that's the reason one should be able to leave the ball well," said Pujara, who is in no doubt about his place in the batting line-up. "Bounce will always be a challenge. I think this time we have done enough preparation and we would like to back ourselves and just execute the things we have tried in the last one and a half months."
For South Africa, the major decision was which of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada to leave out. Ottis Gibson, South Africa's coach, hinted strongly that Steyn would be the one to sit out the first game. "Dale has had a year layoff. I don't think if we were to pick a three-man seam attack plus a spinner that you would want to put him in that three-man attack in case something happens and that leaves the team vulnerable if he can't finish the game," said Gibson.
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