India put up a dismal show to suffer a humiliating defeat by a margin of an innings and 32 runs in the first Test against hosts South Africa. The visitors will be under immense pressure when they take on in-form South Africa in the last and second Test at Newslands ground in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The Rohit Sharma led team will be looking to stage a strong comeback and win at Cape Town to level the series. However, it is easier said than done as the Proteas are currently in excellent form in their favourable home condition.
Despite being severely criticised, promising opener Shubman Gill will be able to keep his place in the playing XI.
Meanwhile, after missing the first Test due to injury issues, fit again star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is most likely to take his place back. That means veteran spinner Raichandran Ashwin will lose his spot.
Moreover, pacers Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna could make way for Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar. Both Thakur and Krishna looked ordinary in the first Test against the Proteas.
Thakur is also suffering from an injury. With Thakur not playing, India will be reduced with just seven batters. In that scenario, India will be a long tail starting with Bumrah at No. 8. Then Indian top order batters have to play out of their skin to keep the rampaging pacers of South Africa at bay.
India’s probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar.