Who Will Win South Africa vs India 1st Test?
The first test of the three-match series between South Africa and India gets underway from January 5. The match is scheduled to be played at the Newlands, Cape Town. Live action will begin at 10:30 AM local time each day.
SA vs Ind 1st Test: Where to Watch/Live Streaming
TV channels: Sony Ten 1, Sky Sports, Fox Sports
Live Streaming: SonyLIV, Bet365
Toss Prediction
A tinge of green grass on the pitch means that fast bowlers should get plenty of lateral movement early on. Moreover since 11 out of the last 13 result-producing test matches played at the Newlands have been won by the side that has fielded first, the toss-winning team is likely to bowl first.
Read on for team analysis, betting odds, betting tips and match prediction for SA vs Ind 1st Test....
South Africa Team News & Playing 11
Team News
Faf du Plessis makes a comeback into the side and will take over the captaincy from AB de Villiers. Fast bowler Dale Steyn who has had a lengthy lay off is set to return to international cricket. South Africa are likely to go in with four seamers and just the one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj.
Key Players
The focus will mainly be on Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis when it comes to batting. Amla is the third-highest run-getter in tests at this ground with an average of 47.57. Dale Steyn has taken the most wickets here but since he is coming after a long lay off, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada will be the main threats among the bowlers. While Philander will test the batsmen's techniques, Rabada will trouble the visitors with his serious pace.
Recent Form
South Africa's most recent test action came against Zimbabwe at home where they ended up securing a comprehensive innings victory. Prior to that, they won another home series 2-0 against Bangladesh.
South Africa Predicted Playing 11
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Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel
India Team News & Playing 11
Team News
Ace allrounder Ravindra Jadeja is currently down with a viral illness and is a doubtful starter for the first test. The decision on his availability would be taken on the morning of the match day. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether the selectors pick KL Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan to open alongside Murali Vijay.
Key Players
Virat Kohli is going through the form of his life and so is Rohit Sharma. Both these batsmen toyed with the Sri Lankan bowlers in the previous home series. Cheteshwar Pujara likes to put a price tag on his wicket and he will be the key at no. 3. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami will be the ones to watch out for on this green track. Bhuvaneshwar could trouble the Proteas if he finds some early swing while Shami could be effective due to his ability to generate awkward seam movement.
Recent Form
India last played a test series against Sri Lanka at home. It was a three-match series which they won 1-0. Before that, they won 3-0 in Sri Lanka with every win being a convincing one. Virat Kohli and Co. last faced a test defeat in February 2017 at the hands of Australia.
India Predicted Playing 11
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Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah
Team Form in Last Five Matches (most recent first)
South Africa: W W W L L
India: D W D W W
South Africa vs India Head to Head
South Africa and India have played 33 test matches against each other since 1992. While the former have won 13 of those, the latter have won 10 with the remaining 10 all having ended in draws. The hosts have two wins and two draws in the four tests between these two sides at the Newlands.
South Africa vs India 1st Test Betting Odds
South Africa, because of the home advantage, begin as clear favorites amongst the bookmakers to win the opening test at odds of 1.78 on Betfair, 1.70 on Unibet, 1.53 on Ladbrokes and 1.72 each on Bet365 and Betway. India who hold a dismal record in South Africa are huge underdogs at a price of 5.6 on Betfair, 4.85 on Unibet, 4.50 on Ladbrokes and 5 each on Bet365 and Betway. A draw is up at 3.8 on Betfair, 3.75 on Bet365, 3.85 on Unibet, 3.55 on Betway and 4.50 on Ladbrokes.
South Africa vs India 1st Test Prediction
India may have had a remarkable home season, but they have faced defeats in four of their past five test series played away from the sub-continent. South Africa on the other hand have been in great form with ten wins and just the one defeat in the thirteen tests they have played over the last twelve months. We feel the Indian batsmen are in for a hard time on these fast and bouncy pitches and therefore predict the hosts to start the series off with a win. Backing a draw would be the next best option.
Final Verdict: Back South Africa to beat India in the first test at 1.78 on 1xbet, 1.70 on Unibet, 1.53 on 10Cric and 1.72 each on Bet365 and betway.
Jan 05 - Jan 09, 2018
14:00 IST / 8:30 GMT
Newlands - Cape town, South Africa
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