***Official*** India in South Africa 2017/18

[Daemon]

"Ishant, Bhuvi, Pandya all marking their run-ups. Seems Rahane is out," says Monga from SuperSport Park.

Looks like Bumrah might be dropped. Pandya as the 3rd seamer. No Rahane. Rohit practicing slip catching along with Rahul.

 

[SeamUp]

Deboooo for Lungi

 

[Prince EWS]

Looks like Bumrah might be dropped. Pandya as the 3rd seamer. No Rahane.

I lol'd at you deciding when Ishant was (likely) selected that he was fourth seamer with Pandya third. I realise it's probably just a typo or "mind-o", but yeah.

 

[Prince EWS]

Deboooo for Lungi

I didn't see this coming, and definitely wouldn't have gone that way myself. Excited though!

Five bowlers again, or Kesh out for Bavuma?

 

[StephenZA]

Deboooo for Lungi

I'm really excited by this, hope it goes well.... surprised it was not Morris.

 

[atishvaze]

Ishant plays in place of Bhuvi, Saha has a niggle and Rahul comes in for Dhawan

 

[StephenZA]

I didn't see this coming, and definitely wouldn't have gone that way myself. Excited though!

Five bowlers again, or Kesh out for Bavuma?

5 bowlers, trusting the top 6. I`m fine with that here in SA. Advantage of having QDK in the team.

 

[CricAddict]

How can one drop bhuvi after the last test performance?

 

[SeamUp]

I didn't see this coming, and definitely wouldn't have gone that way myself. Excited though!

Five bowlers again, or Kesh out for Bavuma?

Ngidi for Dale the only change. Otis and Faf seem to be a maximum risk partnership.

I must admit I am surprised as well. He has returned from a stress fracture and I've seen him in a better bowling groove but he is a natural with his pace, bounce and seam.

I suppose a positive for the batting is that 5 of the top 6 grew up on the highveld. This is what they used to.

 

[StephenZA]

Saha niggle feels..... convenient? My cynicism?

 

[Prince EWS]

5 bowlers, trusting the top 6. I`m fine with that here in SA. Advantage of having QDK in the team.

I was all for it in the first Test; it's not something I'd do just to play Ngidi though. They must really rate him.

 

[Prince EWS]

Saha niggle feels..... convenient? My cynicism?

I reckon it just explains a lot of things. The speculation/reports came from people obsessively observing the training sessions, and if Saha was carrying an injury it'd explain why they came to those conclusions in the first place.

 

[Pratters]

I think we will be pasted in this one. SA 450-500 and innings defeat.

 

[SeamUp]

I'm really excited by this, hope it goes well.... surprised it was not Morris.

Debuting as part of a 5 is perfect too.

I was thinking they would go with Morris because we 1-0 up & he will lengthen the batting without losing the relentless pace and bounce.

But not with our gung-ho leadership duo

 

[Daemon]

I lol'd at you deciding when Ishant was (likely) selected that he was fourth seamer with Pandya third. I realise it's probably just a typo or "mind-o", but yeah.

You laugh now but they may just drop Shami for no reason as well

 

[StephenZA]

Debuting as part of a 5 is perfect too.

I was thinking they would go with Morris because we 1-0 up & he will lengthen the batting without losing the relentless pace and bounce.

But not with our gung-ho leadership duo

Definite more attacking style coming from this management team....

 

[Prince EWS]

You laugh now but they may just drop Shami for no reason as well

Given the post said "no Rahane", this could only mean Jadeja randomly in, or Rahul batting six. These would be hilarious outcomes.

 

[Pratters]

This is just dire.

 

[harsh.ag]

Yeah, am supporting the Saffers full fledged in this one. Come on Proteas!

 

[StephenZA]

Remember the days when SA would happily leave the spinner out because they sucked so much.... now we have to play 5 bowlers, if we want to play a 4 man pace attack, because Maharaj has been just so good for the team (copying Holding!)