In India’s next series against South Africa, Gautam Gambhir thinks Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will need to score the most runs to help their team with batting. Rohit and Virat will have big jobs when India is hitting.
Two Test matches between the two teams will take place, with the first match scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 26 in Centurion. India will try to break their streak of not winning a Test series in the Rainbow Nation this time around.
Rohit’s team will have a tough job in the two games against their opponents. During a talk on Star Sports, Gambhir said this about the biggest challenge they would face.
“Pace, bounce and seam. I believe your batting will definitely be under pressure because South Africa probably do not have the same batting they had in 2011 but their bowling still has the might – (Kagiso) Rabada, (Gerald) Coetzee, (Nandre) Burger and Marco Jansen.”
The former India opener added:
“I believe the pressure will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli because they have that experience. Bowlers definitely win you the series in South Africa but if your batters don’t put runs on the board, you won’t be able to create pressure for your bowlers.”
Gambhir noted, aside from Rohit and Kohli, the rest of the team lacks experience. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer are South Africa rookies in the Test games. In addition, KL Rahul might debut as a wicketkeeper-batter.
“The pressure will be on two fast bowlers as well” – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir believes there would be pressure on the Indian seamen as well. He stated:
“A good series is expected because India also have the bowling which will test the South African batting in their conditions. The pressure will be on two fast bowlers as well. Along with Jasprit Bumrah, it will be the first (second) tour for Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, if he plays.”
Gautam Gambhir
The former cricket player turned pundit said that Mohammed Shami’s injury absence suggests the Indian bowling will be comparatively inexperienced. He clarified:
“So don’t talk about the batting only, the bowling will be under as much pressure, because there will be expectations from bowling. If Mohammed Shami had been there, India would have been all-out favorites. Mohammed Siraj is still young. So I believe your bowling will be tested as much as your batting.”
Gautam Gambhir
Looks like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be leading India’s bowling line-up. Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar? They’re the top choices for the third spot. Shardul Thakur tags along and then there’s either Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin. It’s rare to see both spinners playing together, though.
As for the series, India pulled off a 1-1 tie in the T20I and secured a 2-1 victory in the ODI series.