South Africa and India gear up for a two-match Test series, starting on Boxing Day. The first Test will be held at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The second Test match will start on January 3 at the Newlands in Cape Town. Notably, India have lost each of their last three Test series in South Africa. They lost 2-1 each in 2021-22 and 2017-18 respectively. Before that, the tourists also suffered a 1-0 defeat in 2013-14. Overall, the two teams have met on 42 occasions in Test cricket. India have claimed 15 wins to SA’s 17. 10 matches have been drawn. This series will be of utmost significance before India host England at home in January end. India, who have been a twotime finalist in the ICC World Test Championship, are atop the 2023-25 standings as of now. They will want to seek a positive result on this tour and signify their recent growth as a touring party. Once again, both teams have some quality names in the mix. And the big guns will hope to battle it out and showcase their mettle.
Ahead of a gruelling two-match series, we look at eight players who can have utmost significance.
VIRAT KOHLI
The 35-year-old Virat Kohli will be raring to have a crack against the Proteas. In 14 Test matches, Kohli owns 1236 runs against SA, averaging a healthy average of 56.18. Meanwhile, across 7 Test matches on South African soil, he owns 719 runs at 51.35. Out of his three tons and four fifties versus SA, two centuries have come in South Africa. Kohli is aiming to become the second-highest scorer for India versus SA in Tests. As per ESPNcricinfo, Kohli, who owns a total of 8676 runs in Tests, is closing in on 4500 runs in away matches (home of opposition). He owns 29 tons and 29 fifties in total.
This story is from the December 23, 2023 edition of Cricket Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 23, 2023 edition of Cricket Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sanju Samson: A Compelling Contender For India's T20 World Cup Squad
In the high-stakes arena of T20 cricket, where every run and every wicket can alter the course of a match, the quest for the ideal squad becomes paramount for Team India as they gear up for the T20 World Cup. Amidst the plethora of talented cricketers vying...
Is Virat Kohli Really One Of The Greatest In IPL History?
In the electrifying world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), few names shine as brightly as that of Virat Kohli. A colossus of contemporary cricket, Kohli's feats on the field have etched his name into the annals of the sport's history. Yet, amidst...
TIGER WOODS HAS NOT GIVEN UP HOPE OF ADDING ANOTHER MASTERS GREEN JACKET
Tiger Woods still thinks he can win another Masters. Recent evidence would suggest that might be a steeper climb than walking up to the 18th green at Augusta National. Never mind he is 48 and has had more surgeries than his 15 major titles...
KORDA WINS 4th STRAIGHT LPGA TOUR START, BEATING MAGUIRE IN T-MOBILE MATCH PLAY
Nelly Korda is on a roll not seen on the LPGA Tour in 16 years. She won four of the first seven holes, largely making the rest of the final in the T-Mobile Match Play a formality in beating Leona Maguire 4 and 3 at Shadow Creek...
SAUDI ARABIA WILL HOST THE WOMEN'S TENNIS WTA FINALS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS
Saudi Arabia will host the WTA Finals as part of a three-year deal announced Thursday by the women's professional tennis tour that will increase the prize money for this November's...
NOVAK DJOKOVIC ECLIPSES ROGER FEDERER'S RECORD FOR OLDEST MAN RANKED NO. 1 IN TENNIS
Novak Djokovic has surpassed another tennis record once held by Roger Federer, becoming the oldest man to be ranked No. 1 in the ATP Tour's computerized rankings...
BATTERS WITH THE MOST SIXES IN T20 CRICKET
Mumbai Indians legend Rohit Sharma hammered a sparkling century in Match 29 of the Indian Premier League against the Chennai Super Kings. However, his knock of 105* from 63 balls wasn't enough, as the Super Kings won by 20 runs. CSK posted 206/4...
7 FIELDERS WITH THE MOST CATCHES IN IPL HISTORY
Virat Kohli entered the record books in the Indian Premier League. This time, it was for his fielding effort. Kohli, one of the best fielders in the game, is now the player with the most catches in the cash-rich league as a non-wicket-keeper or an outfielder...
FOUR BEST PERFORMING UNCAPPED PLAYERS SO FAR IN IPL 2024
Every year, the grand spectacle of the Indian Premier League (IPL) sets the stage for young talents to find their spotlight as they strive to prove their mettle amidst roaring crowds. Uncapped players...
NEW YEAR, SAME RCB: UNPACKING ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU'S STRUGGLES IN IPL 2024
As another year of the IPL dawns, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans again find themselves in a disheartening predicament: their beloved team languishing at the bottom of the points table. Despite the annual surge of excitement and hope during preseason...