• IND vs SA 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, pitch report and weather forecast of Centurion and more

    Sports
    IND vs SA 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, pitch report and weather forecast of Centurion and more

    The first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India will take place on Tuesday, December 26.


    Digital Desk: The Indian cricket team is preparing for the Boxing Day Test match against South Africa, which is scheduled to start on Tuesday, December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Leading batsman Virat Kohli of India has returned to the team in Centurion and is practicing at the net with his teammates. In the current World Test Championship cycle 2023–25, India is up against the Proteas for their second assignment after winning a Test series.


    The team, led by Rohit Sharma, has won one match and drawn the other to now occupy the first spot on the WTC points table with a Points Percentage System (PCT) of 66.67. India wants to continue their great success in the current World Test Championship after making it to the finals in previous cycles. Senior players like Virat, Rohit, and Jasprit Bumrah are back, giving the team more strength and presenting a serious threat to the Proteas.


    On the other side, the hosts are happy to have the pace-bowling tandem of Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, and Kagiso Rabada returning after a break. The Indian batting order is seriously threatened by this Pace Troika, who can pack a deadly blow. The series is particularly significant because it is Dean Elgar's final goodbye as the Proteas captain. The South African squad is prepared to give it their all on the pitch, driven by the desire to make it unforgettable for their Test fans.


    Details about Live Streaming


    When will the first Boxing Day Test match between South Africa and India take place?


    The first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India will take place on Tuesday, December 26.


    When does the first Boxing Day Test match between South Africa and India start?


    The first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India will begin at 1:30 pm IST. The first session times are 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Second session: 4:10 to 6:10 p.m. Third session: 6.30-8.30 pm.


    Where will the first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India be played?


    The first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India will take place at the SuperSport Park Stadium in Centurion.


    How can I watch the live broadcast of India vs. South Africa's first Boxing Day Test match in India?


    The first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India will be televised LIVE in India on the Star Sports network.


    How can I watch the India vs. South Africa First Boxing Day Test match live in India?


    The first Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India can be seen live on the Disney + Hotstar app and website.


    The weather forecast


    Day 1: It is expected to be a wet and windy first day at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with temperatures expected to range from 23 to 27 degrees Celsius. There is also a chance of thunderstorms.


    Day 2: There is a 25% chance of rain on Day 2 of the test, with better sky and some cloud cover expected.


    Day 3: There is a 41% probability of precipitation during the first session, which may include light showers. The later sessions should, however, go forward without a hitch.


    Days 4 and 5: With a 60% possibility of precipitation and temperatures that will likely stay around 27 degrees Celsius, rain is predicted to possibly cause disruptions to play on each of these days.


    Report on Pitch


    In red-ball cricket, Centurion's SuperSport Park provides decent support for speed bowlers. According to the pitch curator, both teams might expect a surface that ispace-friendly right away. Extra bounce and seam for the bowlers have also been confirmed by India's head coach Rahul Dravid. 


    Since the Pacers have typically dominated at SuperSport Park, it is anticipated that both teams will use extra pace options in their bowling attacks on Boxing Day. But after the ball gets old, the hitters are also expected to score large runs. Because of the predicted rain on the first two days, seamers might get more help due to moisture on the surface from Day 3.


    IND vs SA Probable Playing XI


    India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar


    South Africa (Playing XI): Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreyne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi