South Africa vs India 2018: What should be the starting XI for India in the second Test?

In the recently concluded first Test match at the Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa beat India by 72 runs. On a pitch designed to assist pace, swing and bounce, Hardik Pandya's exceptional yet risky knock in the first innings kept India in the contest but a collective failure with the bat in the second innings meant that the visitors were bowled out for 135, chasing a target of 208.

Virat Kohli and the team management made some bold choices as far as the team selection is concerned and the exclusion of Ajinkya Rahane certainly raised quite a few eyebrows. India lost seven wickets for less than 100 runs in both innings and the lack of a proper partnership with the bat led to the defeat. With the upcoming Test set to be played in Centurion from 13th January, we look at the possible starting XI for India.

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Openers:

Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul are the three openers in the squad. Both Vijay and Dhawan struggled against high-quality swing, seam and pace bowling in the first Test but the presence of Vijay at the crease brings out a sense of calmness in the dressing room.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul can bring stability at the top of the order

Lokesh Rahul is technically stronger than both Vijay and Dhawan and certainly has the temperament to score big runs. He should replace Shikhar Dhawan as the second opener.

Middle Order

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara is the best Test batsman for India

Cheteshwar Pujara is the best Indian Test batsman and is one of the pillars of the batting lineup. He is expected to hold the fort for India in the second Test.

Virat Kohli (c)

The ever dynamic captain and one the best batsmen in the world, Virat Kohli is expected to do the bulk of the scoring in the second Test and give India a fighting chance.

Ajinkya Rahane

Losing 7 wickets for less than 100 in both innings warrants a place for an extra batsman. Ajinkya Rahane has a lot of experience in overseas conditions and is one of the best Indian batsmen when playing abroad. Even though his current form has been woeful, he should be drafted into the starting XI to strengthen the batting.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit was prolific in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka and he deserves another chance even though he failed in the first match. There are no better alternatives on the bench either.

All-rounder & Wicketkeeper

Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Wriddhiman Saha was fantastic behind the wickets in the first Test and now holds the record of most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test. He will retain his place in the XI.

Hardik Pandya

The only reason India even had a chance of winning the first Test was Hardik Pandya. He is a definite starter for the second encounter.

Bowlers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled exceptionally well in both innings of the first Test. His contributions with the bat in the lower order are just as valuable.

Mohammed Shami

Although Shami struggled to find his rhythm in the first innings, he was breathing fire in the second innings with a phenomenal bowling display of pace bowling.

Jasprit Bumrah

Like Shami, Bumrah too struggled to find his rhythm in the first innings and the lack of first-class game time was showing in his bowling. In the second innings, he adjusted his line and length and sent down unplayable deliveries consistently.

Unfortunately, this means, even though Ashwin fared well with the bat in the second innings, the need for an extra batsman might see him get replaced by Rahane in the starting XI.