South Africa to play three T20Is and three Tests on their 2019 tour to India.
The Proteas had defeated India 2-1 when they hosted in 2018. The two teams will face-off in three T20Is and three Tests, with the Test matches to be played in the month of October 2019. The first Test will be played in Visakhapatnam from October 2nd, the second Test to be played in Pune from October 10 and the third and final Test to be played in Ranchi from October 19.
Keeping the current success of the team in mind and the fact that India will be playing at home, Team COC has decided to predict the Indian squad for the first Test match at Vishakhapatnam.
Mayank Agarwal did just enough on the tour of West Indies to show promise that if enough time is invested in him, he has the technique and temperament to succeed at the top as he did against the Australians earlier this year. Playing at home will give him an advantage as well. However, the same cannot be said for his partner in the Caribbean, KL Rahul, who has wasted opportunity after opportunity to cement his place and its time that the selectors move on from and give him space to regain form.
The best option to partner Mayank at the top is Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal, who slammed a brilliant ton in the Duleep Trophy 2019 final. Easwaran has been amongst runs in the domestic circuit in the last 2-3 years and the time is ripe for him to take center stage and show his mettle at the international stage.
Predicted Team India squad for the first Test:
Mayank Agarwal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah