India vs South Africa 2nd Test tip-off XI: Ravindra Jadeja and Mukesh Kumar set to return, toss-up between R Ashwin and Shardul Thakur

India vs South Africa 2nd Test: After a dismal performance in Centurion, team India would be looking to win the second Test and level the two-match series.

With one loss and one draw in three Tests in the new World Test Championship cycle, India would be desperate for a win, at the venue where they visitors have lost four of their previous six games. India are sixth in the nine-team table with 14 points (38.89 PCT) and a defeat will dent their standing further.

A win would be great for the morale of the team, who is still trying to pick up the pieces after their World Cup final loss.

India look set to revamp their bowling attack. They are also likely to make at least one more change to their bowling line-up.

Jadeja returns

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to return after missing the opening Test due to back spasm. Jadeja will add depth to India’s batting, which crumbled in Centurion, as well as being a capable bowler.

Mukesh in for Prasidh

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj maintained reasonable control in Centurion but lacked support from debutant Prasidh Krishna. The Karnataka pacer was included in the team to get the trampoline boucne from the Centurion surface. However, he struggled with his lengths and looke undercooked. Mukesh on the other hand is taking a rapid stride in his interntaional career. His ability to move the ball both ways and the control makes him more dangerous bowler than Praisdh.

Ashwin or Shardul?

R Ashwin was definitely underutilized by skipper Rohit Sharma in the first Test. The veteran spinner was also unlucky after KL Rahul dropped a straightforward catch. It will be prudent for India to retain the veteran off-spinner, who is also a better batsman than Shardul Thakur, who had a forgettable match. Shardul leaked 101 runs in 19 overs.

Ngidi comes back

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee who suffered a pelvic injury during South Africa’s win, will miss the second Test. Given India’s struggle against quality fast bowling, the Proteas would be tempted to play an all-pace attack. In that scenario, Lungi Ngidi, who was judged not to have fully recovered from an ankle injury, might make the cut.

Weather Report

The toss will be crucial at Newlands which is recording temperatures of 33 to 34 degrees.

Pitch Report

Despite decent grass covering, the pitch will be a batting paradise with little help for spinners from either side.

India vs South Africa Predicted Playing XI

India Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar.

South Africa Predicted XI: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Keegan Petersen, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger.

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