2023 has been the year of redemption for Virat Kohli, the stalwart Indian batter.
South Africa are hopeful that both fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be available for selection in the first Test against India that gets underway in Pretoria on Tuesday, coach Shukri Conrad has confirmed.
The batters could be in for some challenging times with the Supersport Park track expected to aid the fast bowlers as rain threat looms large over the opening Test between India and South Africa, curator Bryan Bloy said on Saturday.
K L Rahul might be asked to keep wickets to bolster the batting.
Top order India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the two-Test series in South Africa on Saturday, with Abhimanyu Easwaran drafted in as his replacement.
Mohammed Shami's absence will certainly leave a gaping hole in India's planning but former South African pacer Fanie de Villiers believes that Rohit Sharma's men have the best chance of ending a 31-year wait for a Test series win in the Rainbow Nation.
However, he is expected to be back in time for the first Test against South Africa, starting on December 26.
South Africa meet India in Centurion in the opening Test starting on December 26 before moving to Cape Town for the second match from January 3.
Sanju Samson, elevated to No.3 spot, hit his maiden international century in the third and final ODI against South Africa.
Shubman Gill was at his silken best during Indian team's intra-squad training game here at the Tuks Oval on Thursday even though there wasn't an opportunity to get a glimpse of that enchanting sight.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the opening Test played between Australia and Pakistan in Perth on Saturday.
They are scheduled to fly out to Johannesburg on Friday.
None of the Indian pacers made an impression on a surface where one needed to bend his back to get the extra bounce.
Kohli is a massive player, will play major role in Test series: Kallis
India has never won a Test series in South Africa and the two Test series, which begins on Boxing Day, December 26, at the SuperSport Park cricket stadium in Centurion, is the last frontier to be overcome for Rohit and his contemporaries Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami.
The players were cheered by fans at the airport and obliged supporters with selfies.
Ahead of India's tour of South Africa, 'Men in Blue' head coach Rahul Dravid asked his side to give a match-winning contribution in the upcoming series.
Star pacer Mohammed Shami has developed an ankle condition, which currently requires medical attention, as the Indian team management will hope that he regains fitness in time for the first Test against South Africa starting from December 26 at Centurion.
Impressed with his captaincy at the ODI World Cup, former captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday threw his weight behind Rohit Sharma, saying he should lead India at least till the T20 World Cup in June next year.
The BCCI has also named one inter-squad for a three-day match slated for December 20 to 22.
The selectors announced India's teams for the tour of South Africa.
Speaking about the issue in India in March 2012 at a media conclave, Kissinger defended his use of unparliamentary language while referring to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Not scoring quickly certainly became India's undoing.
'Never expected this, not in a million years, truly an exceptional day. A lot better than sitting on the couch at home'
Rohit Sharma's Candid Admission: India not good enough in World Cup final
In this World Cup, it won't be a misnomer if KL Rahul gets the DRS moniker in his name and we call it the 'Decision 'Rahul' System'.
Virat Kohli's World record 50th ODI hundred, a scintillating century by Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami's brilliant pace bowling powered the hosts past New Zealand in the first semi-final with a 70-run victory at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
'I took pills for the cramps. I feel the recent scores helped me in this innings. The wicket was tacky and two-paced, I just wanted to capitalise on the start and I was able to do that.'
Fakhar Zaman fires as Pakistan beat New Zealand in rain-hit World Cup clash
England's batters have failed miserably in the World Cup and need to read situations better as the team looks to bounce back from the brink, says assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.
Head, who fractured his left hand during Australia's South Africa tour last month, missed his team's first four matches at the World Cup in India.
Bangladesh might not look too threatening in the World Cup but their record against the Proteas
Opener David Warner, who set up a crucial victory for Australia with a whirlwind century in the ongoing World Cup on Friday, credited the IPL for working as a learning platform where he perfected the art of pacing an ODI innings.
The duo, became only the fourth opening pair to notch centuries in a World Cup match. First, Warner got to the three-figure mar with a nudge for a single and then, Marsh reached his hundred to celebrate his 32nd birthday in the best possible manner and broke a number of records en route...
Travis Head returns to boost Australia's World Cup hopes
Will India extend their run to make it 8-0? Or will Pakistan be able to snap the streak?
Rohit's men start overwhelming favourites but Shaheen, rain pose threat
'Given that they are playing at home and will have full crowd support, India, who are in peak form and whose morale is high, will be the favourites.'
Australian team will be aiming to put up a much better batting performance with a rejigged playing eleven against an upbeat South Africa
Mohammed Rizwan will fondly remember the local curator in his prayers for producing a batting beauty
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