After an exciting and closely contested ODI series, two of the world's cricketing giants will lock horns for the four-match Test series. Hosts India lost both the T20 and ODI series to the visitors and will try to change their fortunes in the upcoming Test series starting in Mohali.
South Africa will be quite pumped up after they ousted the Indians in both the ODI and T20 series and also look forward to wrap up the Test series. They have enough firepower in their team to accomplish the task. The Indians on the other hand will try to regain some of their lost respect by winning the Test series on their home turf. It will be very tough job but not an impossible one for the home team. Altogether it looks like it is going to be a cracking contest.
Let us take a look at the players from both the teams who matter the most for their respective countries:
India:
1) Virat Kolhi
Kohli will be back at the helm of the Test squad for India. Though he is going through a bit rough patch, but one cannot deny that he is one of the best batsmen in the world. His batting abilities will definitely make a difference between the two teams.
2) Ajinkya Rahane
Rahane has been in a very good form throughout the ODI series and the diminutive batsman has been scoring consistently and India will hope he continues his fine tune. Rahane provides solidarity to the Indian middle order and it will be interesting to see how he tackles the Proteas bowling.
3) Ravichandran Ashwin
His return to the Indian squad has been a big boost for the home side as he is currently the best off-spinner in the world. India will be heavily dependent on Ashwin's spin and he will once again reprise the role of India's strike bowler.
South AFrica:
1) AB De Villiers
De Villiers is undoubtedly one of the best and explosive batsmen in the world currently and he possesses the ability to change the fate of the game, anytime with his bat. There is no bowler; there is no opposition captain who is not afraid of this South African when he comes to bat. He has been in a stunning form in the previous few matches and will try to carry on the same form and devastate the opposition bowlers.
2) Hashim Amla
Though his form has been terrible throughout the T20 and ODI series, but when it comes to Tests, Amla has more than enough skill, talent and experience in the five-day format. He will surely aim to score loads and loads of runs in the Tests and prove his worth once again.
3) Dale Steyn
He is definitely one of the best pacers in the cricketing globe. Though he has been shadowed by young Kagiso Rabada, Steyn carries enough firepower to demolish the Indian batting lineup. How the Indians manage his deliveries, will be a treat to watch.
