SA vs IND – Ravichandran Ashwin gets rare start in overseas Test as Prasidh Krishna makes his debut

Test Cricket is back and India is battling it out against South Africa in Centurion during the first Test. Huge crowds were seen welcoming both teams during the Boxing Day festivities around the world.  Prasidh Krishna became the 309^th player to represent India in Test Cricket. The 27-year-old had picked a five-wicket haul during the India A versus South Africa A game recently.

Meanwhile, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also was given a place in the Indian playing XI.  Lungi Ngidi wasn’t fit to start and this gave Nandre Burger the chance to make his Test debut for South Africa. The left-arm fast bowler had bowled with pace and venom against India during the T20I and ODI series. David Bedingham was the second debutant for the home team on Tuesday.

Huge changes for Team India in Centurion –

South Africa won the toss and Temba Bavuma with a smile on his face asked India to bat first. Star player Ravindra Jadeja’s name didn’t figure in the playing XI as Ravichandran Ashwin was given a go in the playing XI.

As revealed during the toss Rohit Sharma said the 35-year-old was suffering from a slight niggle. “Ravindra Jadeja complained of upper back spasms on the morning of the game. He wasn’t available for selection for the first Test Match”

Speaking about the combination, Rohit Sharma said “We are playing with four seamers and a spinner. Ashwin is playing in place of Jadeja who has a bit of back spasms, so Ashwin comes in and he is a quality spinner to have. Prasidh is making his debut, along with other pacers Shardul, Siraj, Bumrah”

KL Rahul is playing as a specialist wicketkeeper as Ishan Kishan is back in India due to personal reasons. KS Bharat wasn’t included in the playing XI despite putting in some decent performances in recent times. 

Team India didn’t make the greatest of starts as they were seen struggling early in the day. Kagiso Rabada struck first when he had Rohit Sharma out for just 5 runs when the Indian skipper mistimed a hook shot. Nandre Burger and Kyle Verreynne then combined twice to remove Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to leave India in a huge spot of bother.