Going into a Test with the series in arrears always brings in an unpleasant feeling.
Rohit Sharma’s men go to the final Test in Cape Town with no series win in sight. The only consolation in the second Test could be in the form of a victory which would allow them to level the series.
The circumstances are different at Newlands. Thrice since 1992 have they arrived in Cape Town to play the decider, in sight of breaking the barriers and creating history. They have left empty-handed on all three instances.
India believed they were robbed of a victory the last time they played at Newlands. As the series slipped away, their frustration found a way out in the form of an ugly outburst at the host broadcaster from Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and KL Rahul.
This time, the humiliation in Centurion is still fresh in the minds of the players. The batting, apart from Kohli and Rahul, has been a tale of disaster. The bowling looked toothless as a unit with only Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj able to make some dent in the South African batting.
But more than their batting it is the bowling that will keep the think-tank worried. Rohit believes the pitch will not be much different from the first Test, which means there will be uneven bounce and seam movement besides good pace and carry.
India managed only 245 and 131 in Centurion, while the bowlers conceded 408.
Shardul Thakur’s performance as a fast-bowling all-rounder has come in for a lot of flak and it remains to be seen if he is retained in the XI. In 11 Test matches, he averages a shade under 20 with the bat and has taken only seven wickets in as many Tests since his 7/61 in Johannesburg in 2018.
The team management is keen on giving young Prasidh Krishna another chance since it would be unfair to drop him after one Test. Shardul is virtually at the end of a long rope and Mukesh Kumar, who has shown the ability to swing the ball, could be tried out.
The other option would be playing to their strengths and fielding two spinners. Ravindra Jadeja is fit after missing the opener and it is learnt that the think-tank is still undecided on the combination — two spinners and three pacers or four pacers and one spinner.
The grass covering on the wicket has left both Rohit and Rahul Dravid in two minds. But playing two wicket-taking spinners instead of a non-performing pacer could work to the team’s advantage.
The final call lies with Rohit.
