India will play two Tests against South Africa, beginning on Tuesday at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The Indian team is aiming to make history by winning a Test series for the first time in a nation where they have previously come near but failed.
Since the inaugural series in 1992, South Africa have won seven of India's eight visits, with one series ending in a draw in 2010-11.
India might now believe that this is their best opportunity ever. This South African team, especially their top six, can be fragile; they lack the bat and ball expertise and talent of teams from earlier eras.
Key fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, who might be a handful on what is predicted to be a lively
Centurion pitch in the first Test, also have late fitness tests to undergo before the series proceeds to Newlands in Cape Town for the second match starting on January 3.
India is still a strong team despite a few injured players, and their two consecutive series victories in Australia have given them confidence that they can summit this particular Everest.
Pacer Mohammed Shami is ruled out due to injury, while batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad is also out. This week, Virat Kohli took a plane home for private matters, but is back for the opening test.
After 32 matches with 24 victories and 8 losses, South Africa have not drawn a Test at home since a rainshortened encounter against New Zealand in 2016.
That is a tribute to the consistent weather, the optimistic kind of cricket they play, and their pitches, which rank among the hardest in the world for hitters with plenty of swing, seam, and spin available throughout the course of the five days.
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