South Africa vs India First Test: Predicted playing XIs

The Boxing Day Test is one of India's most important fixtures in their WTC schedule, with India aiming their first series win in the country.

Temba Bavuma and Rohit Sharma will face off as Test captains for the first time (Images via ESPN)

The Indian team returns to South Africa after 2 years. The last time India toured the nation, they lost the Test series 2-1, with the Proteas winning 24 out of 36 points. India has failed to win a series in the country as well, with their best result being a series draw in 2010/11.

After 8 series without a single win, India will compete in The Freedom Trophy to win their first series in South Africa. Both teams are going through transition periods and rebuilding their Test squads.

This will be the first Test match India will play without either Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane since January 2012. Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar will be retiring after the series as well, citing lack of cricket as a reason. India also go into the series without World Cup star Mohammed Shami, who had an ankle injury.

Predicted playing XIs

India has not played a Test since July, when they beat West Indies 1-0 in the Caribbean. This would be the Proteas’s first series since they hosted West Indies in February 2023. Both teams are trying out new players in their Test teams, with the old guards retiring or getting dropped.

SuperSport Park will be hosting the Boxing Day Test match (Image via ESPN)

India’s predicted playing XI

The Indian team currently has only two spots in contention. With Mohammed Shami out injured, India will need to pick a pacer to replace him. The options are either Prasidh Krishna or Mukesh Kumar. Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin will contest for the number 8 spot, with the pacer having a slight advantage due to the conditions. KL Rahul returns to the Test team, but in a new role as a keeper. This will also be Rohit Sharma‘s 4th overseas Test as captain, missing out series in

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit Sharma (C)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul
Ravindra Jadeja
Shardul Thakur
Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah
Prasidh Krishna/Mukesh Kumar

South Africa’s playing XI

The Proteas go with a middle order with two newcomers, Tony de Zorzi and Keegan Petersen. Their pace attack remains unchanged, with Keshav Maharaj being the lone spinner. This will be Temba Bavuma‘s 3rd series as Test captain.

Dean Elgar
Aiden Markram
Tony de Zorzi
Temba Bavuma (C)
Keegan Petersen
Kyle Verrynne
Marco Jansen
Kagiso Rabada
Lungi Ngidi
Keshav Maharaj
Nande Burger/Gerald Coetzee

The match is televised on Star Sports and streaming on Hotstar. The toss will be at 1 pm IST and play will start at 1pm. The Boxing Day Test will be the first Test match in a series of 2. The match will be played in the SuperSport Park, Centurion.