Match Prediction:
The T20I series has been deadlocked 1-1, and India has won the ODIs 2-1, but the focus now shifts to red ball cricket and two Tests between South Africa and India. The first Test of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle begins on Tuesday in Centuriated Boxing Day Test begins at 10:00 a.m. local time at SuperSport Park.
The last time South Africa played Test cricket was at the beginning of March, but this series has been prioritized by the team management, who rested important players during the T20I and ODI series earlier in the month. South Africa has a roster full of seasoned and talented players.
India has made it all the way to the World Test Championship Final in both editions thus far, but is yet to win the competition. With practically their whole first-choice squad available, they will be pumped for the Centurion Test.
Winning Chances:
Toss Prediction:
With lots of rain and humidity anticipated for the five days of this Test, we expect both teams to opt to bowl first if they win the toss ahead of this game.
Weather Report:
Rain delays are expected on all but one of the five scheduled days of this Test Match, according to the forecast. Throughout the Test, the temperature will be in the mid-to-low twenties.
Pitch Report:
Only one of the four totals in the last Test in Centurion over 215. We anticipate a dynamic surface and a par score of around 275 in the first innings.
South Africa Preview:
After selecting three uncapped Test players, Nandre Burger, David Bendingham, and Tristan Stubbs, in their squad for the Boxing Day Test, it remains to be seen if any of them will make the XI. Kagiso Rabada is set to play after missing the T20Is, ODIs, and warm-up game.
South Africa Squad Predicted:
Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada / Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj
India Preview:
There have been three withdrawals from the India squad in the ten days leading up to this game, with Mohammed Shami and Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out through injury and Ishan Kishan withdrawing for personal reasons. KS Bharat has been added to the squad, and Abhimanyu Easwaraan is also anticipated to be called up.
India Squad Predicted
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar
South Africa vs India Prediction:
India will be pleased with their results so far on this tour, but South Africa has also played well in the T20I and ODI series. Both sides’ fans will now be looking forward to this Test series, which promises to be another exciting two games. South Africa has a dynamic young bowling assault, but we believe India has better depth in both their batting and bowling groups. Our prediction is for a close Boxing Day Test in Centurion, but India will win.
