5 reasons why South Africa might struggle against Team India in the upcoming Test series

#3. Lack of depth in spin bowling

Keshav Maharaj will be tested against Indian batsmen

Though the pitches for the three-Test series against India in Cape Town, Centurion and Johannesburg will be suitable for pace bowling, the role of a spinner in the playing XI, especially on days four and five of a Test, cannot be ignored.

Keshav Maharaj has had an impressive start to his Test career picking up 51 wickets in 13 Tests. It is interesting to note that Maharaj has so far bowled against batsmen from Australia, New Zealand, England and Bangladesh and has tasted success against them; all the teams with the exception of Bangladesh have traditionally struggled against spinners.

Indian batsmen, on the other hand, play quality spin bowling on a regular basis in domestic cricket and unless the pitches offer exceptional turn (which is next to impossible), Maharaj will struggle against the likes of Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Rohit who are very good players of spin.

Spin bowling has always been one of the weaknesses of the South African team and it seems to continue in the upcoming Test series too.