India vs South Africa, 2nd Test: Key battles on offer
India and South Africa are set to take on each other in the second Test of the three-match series, starting on Thursday, October 10. India have a 1-0 in the series after a 203-run victory in the first Test in Vizag. Several records could be broken in this Test, besides some stern battles on offer between bat and ball. Here's more.
Will Rohit continue his domination against Maharaj?
Rohit slammed 176 and 127 in the first Test and he dominated the proceedings. He settled in and once the spinners were introduced, his arms freed. The 32-year-old attacked left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. However, it was Maharaj, who got Rohit stumped across both the innings. In Pune, Maharaj will be wary of Rohit and would want to land the balls in a better zone.
Philander will be targeting Pujara's scalp
SA pacer Vernon Philander got Cheteshwar Pujara's scalp on both occasions in the first Test. The right-arm pacer got him bowled and LBW after breaking through Pujara's defense. Philander's nagging length and line will test Pujara, who scored an impressive 81 in the second innings. If SA can get the early wicket and expose Pujara against the new ball, things could be interesting.
Ashwin will be eyeing to dominate against Theunis de Bruyn
India's premier spinner R Ashwin bagged eight wickets in Vizag and he will be raring to have a crack once again. The off-spinner got Theunis de Bruyn both times in the first Test. The top order batsman failed to negotiate against Ashwin's mastery. He managed scores of 4 and 10. Ashwin will be raring to trump De Bruyn once again and mix things up.
Shami versus De Kock could light up the show
Quinton de Kock was castled on both occasions in the first Test. After scoring 111, he amassed a duck in the second. Mohammed Shami was terrific in the fourth innings and claimed a fifer. His in-swinger was too good for the southpaw, who looked stunned. However, De Kock is the in-form batsman and Shami will be looking to bowl as straight as possible.
