(Cricket news) India will be back in red ball action after becoming the no. 1 Test team in the world following their win against New Zealand. They now face a tough challenge to an unconquered territory of South Africa. Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid will be hoping to get India their first ever Test series win in South Africa. India are missing several key players in Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill and Axar Patel. South Africa on the other hand will be without Speedster Anrich Nortje. 

India Possible Playing XI:

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Ajinkya Rahane will be under a lot of pressure as this might be his last chance. The big call is the combination of the team. India could go and pick Shardul Thakur instead of Hanuma Vihari to play 5 bowlers. But the above team is very balanced especially with the Indian tail showing in England that they can contribute a little with the bat. Ishant Sharma is another close call who has a lot of experience bowling in South Africa.

Also read: Shreyas Iyer or Hanuma Vihari? Who should get a chance first in South Africa?

South Africa possible playing XI:

Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Keegan Peterson, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier.

Rabada and Ngidi will be key for the Proteas with their seam bowling. The opening combination of skipper Elgar and Markram will have India's potent new ball attack. Olivier will have to step up and fill the shoes of Anrich Nortje.

Weather forecast and pitch report:

Day 3 and day 4 are expected to be sunny while the other days could have a fair bit of delay due to rain and bad light. The team that wins the toss will be looking to bat first mainly due to the weather conditions on day 1 and day 2. Centurian is usually a batting pitch as the ball comes on to the bat right from the beginning of the game. It will assist fast bowlers more than spinners but spinners could get some turn and bit going into day 4 and day 5. 

India would've been outright favorites had Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja not been injured. The visitors' chances have now taken a massive hit but they are still favorites to win the series and winning the first game would be a massive statement from this Indian side.