SA vs IND: Top 5 players to look for in SA vs IND 2nd Test in Newlands

India is currently touring in South Africa for an all-format tour. The Men in Blue have won the ODI series and the T20I series has been drawn. Rohit Sharma's side had lost the 1st Test and their dream of winning the red-ball series in the Proteas soil continues. They had a dismal performance in the first game as they were dominated in every aspect of the game by the host nation. They lost the game by an innings and 32 runs. 

In the first test, the former India captain Virat Kohli and KL Rahul only performed in different innings but they had similar situations as they did not get any kind of support from the other end. The latter played a knock of 101 runs in the first innings helping India to go past the 200-run mark. Kohli on the other hand scored 76 runs in the 2nd innings. 

Kagiso Rabada was one of the heroes for the home team as he picked 5 wickets in the first innings and that was his first fifer against India in a Test match and 14th overall in the longest format of the game. Dean Elgar played a brilliant innings of 185 runs and with his innings, they took a lead of 161 runs. In the article, we will be looking at the top players to watch out for in the 2nd Test match. 

Here are 5 players to watch out for in the SA vs IND

5. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has been India's star all-rounder across formats over the years. He missed the first test due to a back spasm he had suffered during the practice session. He will be available for India’s second Test and might be a player to watch out for. He bowled a few balls at the SuperSport Park during the break on Thursday. His addition will be a key for Rohit's side as he will give a good fielding option as well. The veteran spinner might be replacing Ravichandran Ashwin who did not have any effect in the 1st Test. 

4. Keegan Petersen 

Keegan Petersen was the Player of the Series the last time these two teams met back in 2021. The right-handed batter was the leading scorer in the series. He scored 276 runs and was the anchor for the home side on a difficult wicket in the longest format of the game. However, the young batter is yet to make an impact in the current series as he scored only two runs in the one innings he got to bat and was bowled by Jasrprit Bumrah. But he will be a player to watch in the 2nd Test. 

3. Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is one of the finest red ball bowlers of this generation. He has played in 61 matches and is on the verge of reaching a significant milestone, being just 13 wickets away from achieving 300 Test wickets. The pacer picked his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. This was his first five-wicket haul in the traditional format of the game against the Men in Blue. The 28-year-old speedster will be looking to continue with his form in the 2nd Test as well. 

2. Dean Elgar 

Dean Elgar has been the most underrated Test batter of this generation. The left-handed opener has not got the credit that he deserves. He has been a star performer in the top order for the Proteas over a few years. Elgar is playing the last Test series of his international career and he already scored a brilliant 185 runs and took away the match from the visitors. He will be captaining in the last test match of his career as Temba Bavuma will be out due to an injury. 

1. Virat Kohli 

Virat Kohli has been in sensational form in the 2023. He would love to continue that in the 2024 as well. The former India captain scored runs in both innings, but in the 2nd innings of the 1st test, he played a knock of 76 runs and got no support from other batters. The 35-year-old batsman completed 2023 as the second-highest run scorer in international cricket. With 2,048 runs in 36 innings at an average of 66.06. In 2023 he participated in eight Test matches, scoring 671 runs at an average of 55.91 with two hundred and as many fifties.