Bangalore: It just took 16 balls for Rohit Sharma and the rest of the Indian players to realize that they are on the other side of the hemisphere as Steyn, Morkel and Tsotsobe made the visitors smell leather on a regular basis during the one day series as the Proteas dominated the one-dayers.
The pace trio of Steyn, Morkel and Tsotsobe caught the Indians on the wrong foot as the pace and bounce of the wicket proved to be too good for the Indians to handle. The likes of Kohli, Sharma and Dhawan have to pull up their socks very quickly if they have to avoid humiliation which has been the story for most of the South African summer.
The first Test is due to start on December 18 and here is a look at the battles within the battle that has everything to make it an intriguing contest:
Shikhar Dhawan vs Morne Morkel: Shikhar Dhawan has been in prolific form off late and would look to take it forward in the upcoming Test matches. Dhawan loves to take the attack to the opposition and in no time can take the session away from the Proteas. Morne Morkel on the other hand has shown in the one-dayers what he can do with the ball. The extra bounce that he generates from his height can trouble any batsmen in the world, let alone Shikhar Dhawan.
Virat Kohli vs Dale Steyn: The quickest to reach 5000 one day runs, Virat Kohli has been a sensation with the bat in hand for India. His form is one of the main reasons behind India’s recent success and holds the middle-order together after the departure of Dravid and Laxman. Dale Steyn might have other ideas as his lethal out swingers are good enough to get the fish out of water and Kohli will have to stand up to the occasion as there aren’t many who are not STEYNED in world cricket.
Rohit Sharma vs Vernon Philander: Vernon Philander is just the ideal man to partner Steyn and Morkel in Test matches as the duo will start off by piling on the pressure which will work in Philander’s favour as he is no get away bowler. His precise line and length has got the better off most players in the world and Rohit Sharma has to be patient to survive the test. Sharma however, has the technique to tackle the paceman but whether he has the temperament or not, we will have to wait and see.
Hashim Amla vs Ishant Sharma: Ishant Sharma has got the pace to trouble most players in the world. In conditions which assist fast bowlers, he can come in handy with the new ball. Ishant has shown glimpses of his returning to form in the 3rd ODI, picking up 4 wickets. He has considerable experience bowling at the highest level, which he could put to good use in the next few days. Hashim Amla will do all he can to stave off the new bowl challenge. Amla’s record against the Indians has been right out of the top draw and he would look to carry on the same momentum in the Test series.
Greame Smith vs Zaheer Khan: Greame Smith has been Zaheer Khan’s bunny for as long as we can think of and this will be an ideal opportunity for Smith to get rid of that tag and take on Khan right from the word go. However, knowing Zaheer, he would be firing in all cylinders against Smith once he takes the new ball. This one might just be the best contest of the Test series.
Jacques Kallis vs Mohammad Shami: Jacques Kallis is only second to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of the number of Test centuries he has scored over the years and would like to increase that number against the Indians who are yet to play their best cricket. Kallis has been the mainstay of the South African batting for more than a decade and removing him will take some doing. The kind of spirit Mohammed Shami has shown in his short stint with the Indian team, it goes without saying that he would be up and running for the battle.
