India Begins Overwhelming Favourite

Saha replaces Pant in the playing XI; South Africa expected to put up a brave fight

- R. Ashwin and Ravindra S. Dinakar

Familiarity can lead to complacency. And adversity can lift sides in unfamiliar settings.

Cricket is a funny game and surprises are not uncommon. Yet, India, competitive abroad and ruthless at home, should start the three-Test series against South Africa as the overwhelming favourite.

And the dusty cream coloured track at the ACAVDCA Stadium should suit the top-ranked Test side in the world as the first Test gets underway here on Wednesday.

For a South African side, rebuilding, the Freedom series presents a wonderful opportunity to display togetherness and fight. Proteas needs heroes to emerge.

Rain forecast

Tuesday was bright here, but spells of rain have been forecast during the Test. Damp conditions and a cloud cover could provide a lifeline to the South Africans with their world-class pacemen, led by Kagiso Rabada.

If the conditions remain hot and dry, and cracks develop on the surface, apart from spin, reverse swing could dent line-ups.

The host has made some important choices. Wriddhiman Saha, who last figured in a Test at Cape Town in 2018 before being derailed by injuries, is back in the eleven.