The T20 series against South Africa for India was not as expected and this has been a reason of concern for the Indian team. The Indian team failed to take advantage after the first match for the series was washed away by rain. Both the teams had won one match each and the series ended in a draw. This could not have been a big concern for India, but when facing against the Proteas who are inexperienced, better was expected from the Men in Blue which they failed to deliver. The focus has now shifted to the Test series which is a part of the ICC World Test Championship and is of much importance for India as they hold the top spot in the World Test Championship Points Table at present.
The Proteas will play their first series of the tournament which will run till June 2021 and have called in their regular captain Faf du Plessis to take charge in such an important tournament. The team also has the likes of Lungi Ngidi and Vernon Philander back into the team and such changes are surely going to affect the outcome of the series as a more experienced and skilled squad will be facing India in the Test series. Being an important tournament, the live cricket score of the series will be followed by a variety of cricket experts who will analyze and put forward their opinions about the performances of the teams.
The Indian team has also made some changes in its strategy as well as the squad for the series. The skipper Virat Kohli will now have the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari in the middle order, which is quite strong when compared to that of the T20 series. While Cheteshwar Pujara is full of experience, Hanuma Vihari had also shown a lot of maturity in the series against West Indies which was instrumental for him to secure a spot in the team. As for the openers, KL Rahul has already been dropped and Rohit Sharma has been called in to take his spot. This is surely going to affect the opening partnership of India in the series. The likes of Rishabh Pant have already received a clear indication to perform or be ready to face the consequences as there are youngsters like Shubman Gill to prove their mettle.
However, a major blow has hit the Indian team ahead of the series and this can prove out to be instrumental in the outcome of the series. A major bowler, Jasprit Bumrah has been diagnosed with an injury and has been sent to the rehabilitation center where he is being monitored closely by the BCCI. Umesh Yadav has been called in to take his spot, but then Umesh has been out of the team for a year now and he will need time to adapt to the situation. The bowling attack has been a weaker aspect of India and a stronger part of Proteas, so this will be an important factor in determining the rankings of the teams in the Points Table.
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