India vs South Africa 2019: Top 4 players to watch out for India in the Test series
India will be keen to start their home season on winning note when they take on Faf du Plessis’s South Africa in the three-match Test series that starts from 2nd October. The opening game of the series will be played at Visakhapatnam. The other two games will be played at Pune and Ranchi to conclude the Test series.
Let’s take a look at the four players that can help India maintain their dominance in this upcoming home series against South Africa.
Virat Kohli
First up in the list is the Indian Captain Virat Kohli who has been in splendid form with the bat in Test cricket for the past two years. Virat Kohli has certainly raised the bar for batsmen in Test cricket and accumulated runs in English conditions where ball tends to hoop around for long periods. In the past 24 months, Kohli has topped the batting charts for India in Test cricket and accumulated 2091 runs in 19 matches at an average of 63.36 with eight centuries to his name.
The 30-year old will be looking to continue his rich vein of form with the bat against South Africa in the upcoming three-match series. There is no doubt that records will tumble when Kohli comes to bat against South Africa in this series.
Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara has been a bankable performer for India in Test cricket. The 31-year old will be looking to do well for India in this upcoming series against South Africa. Since September 2017, Pujara has accumulated 1379 runs in 19 Test matches at an average of 43.09 with five centuries to his name.
Pujara struggled to produce runs in the previous series against West Indies played in the Caribbean. He will be keen to deliver big runs for the side in this home series. Cheteshwar Pujara has represented India in 70 matches where he has accumulated 5486 runs at an average of 49.87 with the help of 18 centuries and 20 half-centuries.
In games played at home, Pujara has produced impressive numbers and is averaging 61.86 with 10 centuries to his name.
Ravi Ashwin
India’s premier spinner has been a match-winner for the side in Test cricket. The 33-year old will certainly pose a big threat to South African batsmen in this Test series. Since September 2017, Ashwin picked up 50 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 26.46.
Ravi Ashwin will certainly be looking to play a big role for India in this three-match Test series. The off-spinner has played 65 Test matches and claimed 342 wickets at an average of 25.43. He has picked up 26 five-wicket hauls in the five-day format. He has produced impressive numbers against South Africa and picked up 31 wickets in four matches at an average of 11.12. The team management will be hoping that Ashwin can produce his best with the ball in this series.
Jaspreet Bumrah
Pace bowler Jaspreet Bumrah has been a premier bowler for India in Test cricket. Since making his Test debut against South Africa in 2018, Bumrah has delivered match-winning performances for the side in countries like South Africa, England and Australia.
In 12 Test matches, Bumrah has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 19.24 with a strike rate of 43.7. During this period, he has taken five five-fors in Test cricket and helped win Test matches for India in overseas conditions. Bumrah produced menacing new-ball spells in the previous series played against West Indies in the Caribbean. The right-arm quick will be keen to continue his splendid form in the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
