India Vs South Africa First Test at Nagpur – Race for No. 1 Test Ranking
By admin on Feb 6, 2010 in Uncategorized
I
ndia and South Africa will start their number one test ranking battle starting from First test match to be played at VCA Stadium, Nagpur from 6th of March 2010. Indian team who presently hold the number one Test ranking in ICC table with 125 points will look to maintain their Test supremacy, on other hand South Africa will look to snatch the number one spot from Indians by beating them in a two match test series.
India will have tough jobs on their hand with the absence of Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh from the middle orders but still they can fancy their chances with the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, Sachin and Dhoni. Indian bowling looks more settles and experiences with the presence of in-form Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. Ishant Sharma on Bangladesh tour also has shown sign of return to form which is good news from India point-of view.
While a series victory will consolidate India’s position at the top of the ICC Test ranking, even a drawn series would be enough for the hosts to retain their top slot which would entitle them to $175,000 and the coveted ICC Test Championship mace.
On the other hand South Africa will have to beat India by 2-0 or 1-0 margin to snatch the number one spot at presently hold by India. After beating England in the last test match at Johannesburg, South Africans are confidence of putting a good performance on Indian soil.
Team News
With V.V.S.Laxman yet to declare fit, it’s likely that we will witness two debutant for Indians in the middle order Rohit Sharma and S.Badrinath. M.Vijay is likely to bat at no. 3 with S.Badrinath will play at six for the Indians. In bowling department Zaheer, Ishant, Harbhajan and Amith Sharma is likely to lead the attack.
For South Africa they are likely to retain the same playing XI which had emerge out as winner against English team at Johannesburg.
India Squad: V.Sehwag, G.Gambhir, M.Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S Laxman, S.BadriNath, M.S.Dhoni (Captain & WK), H.Singh, A.Mishra, Z.Khan, Ishant Sharma.
South Africa Squad: Graeme Smith (Captain), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (WK), Paul Harris, Wayne Parnell, 10 Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel.
Match Timing
Play will start from 09:30 AM Indian times
First Session: 09:30 AM -11:30 AM
Second Session: 12:15 PM – 14:15 PM
Final Session: 14:30 PM – 16:30 PM (with play can be extended up to 17:00 hrs)
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