South Africa vs India 2018: Who should play and who shouldn't for India in the second Test

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Virat Kohli's men would be eager to get back on level terms

The Indian cricket team, the top-ranked Test side, suffered a 72-run defeat in the first match of the three-match series against South Africa.

The bowlers set up the opening Test, but the batsmen failed to shine against the pace quartet of South Africa.

A lot of eyebrows were raised when India announced their playing XI for the first Test match. Now, after a resounding defeat, the team management will be in a dilemma whether to boost the batting line-up by including an extra batsman or persist with four bowlers along with Hardik Pandya.

Let us have a look at what India's team sheet could look like for the next Test.

Openers

KL Rahul is better suited to South African conditions than Dhawan

Murali Vijay

Nicknamed the 'Monk', Murali Vijay's place as an opener is not under immediate threat. The role of the right-handed batsman would be to see off the new ball and set a platform for the batsmen to follow. Vijay struggled against Philander in the first Test and will need to be more aware of his off stump to succeed in South Africa.

KL Rahul

Shikhar Dhawan was preferred over KL Rahul in the first Test held at Cape Town. The attacking southpaw could only contribute 32 runs to the team's score though.

More than the lack of runs, the mode of Dhawan's dismissals could get him dropped. In both the innings, he lobbed the ball high after being beaten by the tennis ball bounce on offer.

According to the news emanating from the Indian camp, Rahul will play the second Test in place of Dhawan.

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