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South Africa vs India 1st Test Preview & Tips - India backed to get series off to winning start

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 24 Dec 2021

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Ralph Staniforth 24 Dec 2021

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South Africa vs India predictions for the 1st Test match on Sunday
The fixture will be played at Centurion at 08:00 GMT
Can India add South Africa to their growing list of winning destinations?
Preview, tips, stats & team news

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Indis are looking for their first ever Test series win in South Africa (Getty Images)

South Africa vs India Preview & Tips

South Africa have a fine bowling lineup but there are plenty of questions around the batting department. India have already proven they can win in Australia and England so this should be the next step.

South Africa vs India Preview & Tips
Head to Head
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News
India Form
India Team News
South Africa vs India FAQ

My best bet is for India to win the 1st Test at Centurion.

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock has scored 141 & 96 runs in his last 2 Test matches.
South Africa have lost 3 of their last 6 home Test matches.
India have won 6 of their last 10 away Test matches.
India’s Mayank Agarwal scored 150 & 62 runs in his last 2 Test innings.

Head to Head

India have won four of their last five Test matches against South Africa. Those were all matches played in India though.

South Africa Form

South Africa have only played 13 Test matches since late 2019, losing eight of those and winning five. The side has been in a state of transition since the retirement of a few big players.

The Proteas last series took place in June this year in the West Indies, a series the visitors won 2-0. Dean Elgar (77) and Quinton de Kock (96) set up a comfortable victory in the first innings of the 2nd Test.

In general though South Africa have struggled to consistently score runs especially against the bigger sides. They face a determined Indian outfit this time around who have never won a series in South Africa before.

South Africa Team News

Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the series so Duane Olivier is set for his return to international cricket. On the bowling front the hosts are very well stocked, it will come down to whether the batsmen can score the required runs.

India Form

India arrive in South Africa full of confidence and will want to claim their first ever Test series win in the Republic. They have played plenty of Test cricket of late, most recently beating New Zealand in a two-match series at home.

After a draw in the 1st Test, India won the 2nd Test by 372 runs. Mayank Agarwal hit 150 runs in the first innings to set the hosts up for victory. The opener then scored 62 in the second innings with Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill both scoring 47 runs.

The pitches in South Africa will be far less suitable to the Indian side but they have already proven that they can adapt by beating England and Australia away.

India Team News

India will almost certainly go with five bowlers in South Africa. Neither Ravindra Jadeja nor Washington Sundar are in the squad to cover the allrounder role.

The selection dilemma resides in the batting department. Ajinkya Rahane has experience in these conditions but averages below 20 in his last 12 Test matches. Shreyas Iyer may get the nod after his impressive debut last time out.

South Africa vs India FAQ

Where can I watch South Africa vs India live stream?

Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch South Africa vs India live stream.

Verdict

South Africa v India - 1st Test

India are in good form having won in Australia and England recently. They are backed to win the 1st Test with the in-from Mayank Agarwal tipped to top score in the first innings.

Quinton de Kock is backed to be South Africa's best first innings batsmen after a good series last time out.

India Win

Result

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