How the Indian team could line up for the first Test against South Africa
After a long and happy home season, Team India are set to go to South Africa where they would want to prove to themselves and the world that they can win matches overseas.
This is arguably India's most well-rounded team to travel abroad and therefore they have a good chance to not only win a Test, but the entire series. Here, we look at the XI they are most likely to field come the first Test:
Openers
1) Murali Vijay
India have the problem of plenty when it comes to choosing the openers. Whenever a player has gotten the opportunity at the top of the order, he has made it count. Among the three openers India have currently, Murali Vijay has to be the first choice purely because of his experience of scoring in foreign conditions.
He has the best temperament amongst his competitors, a very good defensive game and also leaves the ball very well.
The Proteas might still remember the Nagpur dust bowl we served up the last time they toured India and in a bid to return the favour, India, in all likelihood, will be welcomed with a green pitch, at least for the first Test. There is no better player in the Indian set up than Vijay to play quality fast bowling on a greenish wicket, thus he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
2) KL Rahul
Rahul has been the most consistent opener among the three of late and he will, in all probability, open alongside Vijay. While Shikhar Dhawan provides some flair at the top of the order and maintains the tempo at the start of the innings, most of the runs he has scored have come against a mediocre Sri Lankan attack on dead sub-continental pitches. Rahul has the technique and skill to complement Vijay in negating the new ball threat and thus will occupy the second opener's slot.