Match details:
Series/tournament name: India vs South Africa Tests
Venue: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
Date: October 19, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m. IST
Preview:
India are at the top of the World Test Championship table and it seems impossible that they won't make the finals two years from now. The hosts have been bullish as usual, exemplary in their execution and impermeable in their batting line-up. Led by Virat Kohli, this Indian team is a beast at home and South Africa have witnessed the juggernaut in full flow in this series so far.
The Proteas have concerns within the team in terms of injury. More importantly, they look dejected and lost. The batting has gone entirely missing, the bowling department has lacked the sting and the whole camaraderie within the team has gone for a toss in the searing heat of Indian conditions and the slick efficiency of this Kohli-led unit.
Weather report:
As with Vizag and Pune, rain forecast is high on all five days. South Africa will hope it saves them the blushes at Ranchi at least.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to be flat like with the 2016-17 series game against Australia.
Probable Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma
Match details:
Series/tournament name: India vs South Africa Tests
Venue: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
Date: October 19, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m. IST
Preview:
India are at the top of the World Test Championship table and it seems impossible that they won't make the finals two years from now. The hosts have been bullish as usual, exemplary in their execution and impermeable in their batting line-up. Led by Virat Kohli, this Indian team is a beast at home and South Africa have witnessed the juggernaut in full flow in this series so far.
The Proteas have concerns within the team in terms of injury. More importantly, they look dejected and lost. The batting has gone entirely missing, the bowling department has lacked the sting and the whole camaraderie within the team has gone for a toss in the searing heat of Indian conditions and the slick efficiency of this Kohli-led unit.
Weather report:
As with Vizag and Pune, rain forecast is high on all five days. South Africa will hope it saves them the blushes at Ranchi at least.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to be flat like with the 2016-17 series game against Australia.
Probable Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Zubayr Hamza, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Vernon Philander, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Top picks:
Wicket-keeper: Quinton de Kock (9.5 credits)
After a hundred in the first game at Visakhapatnam, Dr Kock's returns have gone down. He has made just 36 runs in three innings but a possible move to the top of the batting order along with the freedom of just being a batsman (with Heinrich Klaasen as possible keeper) could free up de Kock to deliver his best.
Batsman: Virat Kohli (11 credits)
A sensational double hundred at Pune has set the ball rolling for the Indian skipper. He is in his stride now and once that happens, the captain turns into an irresistible run-scoring machine. At home, he is a beast and with form with him, Kohli should be a key fantasy pick for this game.
All-rounder: Ravichandran Ashwin (9.5 credits)
If it's India, you just need to have Ashwin in your fantasy team. The off-spinner had lesser workload with India playing three seamers at Pune but at Ranchi, we might see them bench Ishant Sharma or Mohammed Shami just to rest them while playing Kuldeep Yadav. Ashwin still remains the best bet in your fantasy team.
Bowler: Kagiso Rabada (9 credits)
A wounded lion is as dangerous as a cornered animal. Kagiso Rabada has had little impact this series despite bowling his heart out. Big players, though, don't go missing for extended periods and the South African seamer can be expected to come back at Ranchi and make a big impact.
Captaincy options: Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli
Dream11 team:
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.
