South Africa vs India 2018: Analysis of Team India's middle order

The Indian Test team will hope their middle order batsmen put in the fight against South Africa, when the two sides meet in the three-match Test series starting January 5. After all the success at home in the last two seasons, the India team will be eyeing to carry the momentum overseas and produce something special in a country where they are yet to win a Test series.

Team India is No. 1 in the Test rankings and have a realistic chance to make this series count in many ways. Virat Kohli’s side boasts of some solid Test batsmen in their ranks and their job will be a testing task when they take on a ferocious looking Proteas line-up. With Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn back from injuries, SA look daunting and the in-form duo of Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada will not make life any simple for Kohli’s troops.

The conditions in South Africa is a different prospect altogether and the memories haven’t been that pleasant. But Kohli will know he has the ammunition in the middle order that can keep them in the game. A lot will depend on the intelligence and shot-making of the batsmen and some of them showed that in their previous tour here in 2013.

India cancelled their pre-tour practice match to focus more on the net sessions and will be trying to work on various aspects to handle the South African pacers once the series starts. Proteas pacers will be knowing that this time the battle will be utmost difficult against a side that is on the hunt to achieve something overseas. Here is an analysis of India’s middle order batsmen and the attributes they possess.

Cheteshwar Pujara:

The Saurashtra batsman has been pivotal for India in that middle order amassing runs aplenty over the years. Majority of his runs have come in Asia especially at home and in Sri Lanka. Outside the sub-continent, Cheteshwar Pujara has often struggled barring the previous tour to South Africa. His enormous patience will be a key in wearing down the bowlers and there is a lot of maturity in his game now.

He scored a brilliant 153 at Johannesburg in the previous tour to show he can bat long and be solid at No. 3. With a decent average of 44.42 and 311 runs amassed in those four Tests, Pujara will be hungry to do better this time. Outside home, he averages 38.52 with 1310 runs under his belt.

Virat Kohli:

The skipper will be spearheading the batting once again at that No. 4 position. He is the side’s best bet against a quality Proteas attack. His glaring performance in Australia where he smashed three tons back in 2014-15 will be on the back of his mind on how to approach his batting here. Kohli had been in the form of his life in the last Test assignment against Sri Lanka at home in Nov-Dec 2017. His presence in the side is similar to that of Steve Smith for Australia and he knows the trade of what is needed.

Against SA away, Kohli has 272 runs from 2 matches with an average of 68.00. He scored a defining 119 at Johannesburg in 2013 and backed with 96 runs in the 2nd innings as the visitors were forced to settle for a draw. Kohli averages 45.13 away from home and has the chance to better it this time.

Ajinkya Rahane:

He has cemented that No. 5 place in the side and will know that a big inning is long due. Rahane hasn’t been quite on song with only just a solitary ton in 2017. He had a series to forget against the Lankans recently. The team management has backed him though and Rahane knows he is just an innings away to regain the confidence. His record overseas is impressive than at home, and that’s where he brings in the substance of a fine Test player.

Last time that he toured South Africa he scored 209 runs in two Tests with an astounding average of 69.66. Outside home, Rahane averages 53.44 with 1817 runs under his belt.

Rohit Sharma:

With the form he has been in ODIs and T20Is, it’s no surprise that the star player was called for duty on this tour. Rohit was exceptional in the two Tests he played against the Lankans and he could be a key figure in that No. 6 position. Given that he hasn’t played many Tests for India, Rohit will be hungry to get runs and showcase his application.

His last series here in 2013 was disastrous and this time around he will hope to change that against Dale Steyn & Co. Last time he managed just 45 runs from two matches at an average of 11.25. But now the situation has changed. Rohit looks a more complete batsman and one will hope he carries his bat from the limited-overs to Tests in a sound manner.