India vs South Africa, 1st Test: List of Key battles

After having got Rohit Sharma out in the warm-up match, South Africa's senior pacer Vernon Philander will be aiming to make things difficult for the Indian opener.

Rohit is set to play his first Test series as an opener and there are challenges awaiting him.

Philander, who can make the ball work in good zones, can target Rohit's vulnerabilities upfront.

Cheteshwar Pujara will find it difficult against Kagiso Rabada especially facing the new ball.

The top order batsman has the tendency to poke at deliveries outside the off stump early on and Rabada will target the same.

Against Windies, Pujara was foxed by Kemar Roach and the idea will be to move the ball away by pitching it in and around the off stump.

Faf is a good player of spin and a lot will depend on how he handles the fort in the middle order.

The senior cricketer will need to play smart cricket and his application against India's premier spinner R Ashwin promises to be a delightful affair.

Ashwin has been amongst the wickets in County and his confidence will be high.

Ishant Sharma will lead the Indian bowling and his nagging length and line will test South African opener Aiden Markram.

The latter scored a century against Board XI and will want to build on that effort.

He has some good shots under his belt and the Indians cannot afford to let him settle down.

Ishant's exploits upfront will be key.