Ind vs SA first Test: Potential playing XI, team news and updates

The South African tour of India in 2019 began with an anti-climactic opening T20 in Dharamshala as it ended in a washout. While the hosts won the second T20I, the Proteas came back strongly in the third game in Bengaluru to level the three-match series 1-1. As the action now shifts to the game’s longest format, the visitors are fresh-off facing the Indian Board President's XI in a much-needed three-day practise game at the Dr PVG Raju ACA Sports Complex in Vizianagaram. 

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India vs South Africa first Test potential playing XI: Story so far

Ever since its inauguration in 2015, the upcoming series will be the third edition of Freedom Trophy between the two nations. While hosts India won the inaugural edition by blanking the visitors 3-0 in 4 Tests, the Proteas responded with a 2-1 series win when India toured South Africa in 2018. Even though South Africa will go into the upcoming series as current trophy holders, they still have a gruelling Indian winter of three Test matches ahead. The ongoing tour started with a three-match T20I series which ended in a 1-1 draw.  

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Potential playing XI for both teams

The upcoming Freedom Trophy will also launch South Africa’s campaign in the ongoing ICC World Test Championships. The first Test is scheduled to start on October 2 which will also coincide with Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. India’s leading pacer Jasprit Bumrah suffered a stress fracture which prompted him to be ruled out of the first Test. Out of the 15-man squad for both teams for the upcoming Tests, here are the potential XI players who might step onto the field on October 2 –

Indian team – Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma

South African team – Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma (vc), Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Senuran Muthusamy, Aiden Markram, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj

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