Nagpur/ Calcutta: Mohali and Nagpur, separated by some 1300 kilometres, is bridged by all of 22 yards. That’s the story, in simple cricketing terms.
The India-South Africa Test series is turning out to be a scary one for the visitors and the ghosts of Mohali are all set to haunt them once again.
To be precise, on the eve of the third Test of the four-match series, to be played at the neighbouring Jamtha, the Indians look to be overwhelming favourites to wrap up the series before they reach Kotla for the final game. India had won the first Test in Mohali, while the second, in Bangalore, fell a victim to rain.
Such a prediction is usually not a wise thing to do, not when you are speaking of the No.1 Test side in the world, who have an impeccable record on the road. But one can afford the risk because the pitch prepared at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium doesn’t look very different from Mohali, despite confident claims by curator Amar Karlekar that it wouldn’t be a three-day affair.
Dry and red —- that’s how one would describe the pitch here. It’s needless to say that it would be the spinners’ playground when play begins on Wednesday. India captain Virat Kohli didn’t say so, but not unleashing his three spinners — Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja — on this wicket will be like having the ticket and yet not watching Don Bradman play. It’s unthinkable, illogical.
The South Africans’ minds might be clouded with all those uneasy thoughts of the ‘spin monsters’, but there’s no cloud in the weather forecasts. After the Bangalore experience, that would be a welcome relief for both the teams.
While Bangalore allowed too little of play, by doing so it has also given Hashim Amla’s South Africa a chance to start things afresh. Ten days have gone by since the two teams last played and that is a crucial factor. The break has given South Africa a chance to catch the Indians by surprise. Will they?
To India’s advantage, however, Dale Steyn still looks very uncertain to play this Test. But even without Steyn, India’s batting may still be tested.
While playing in India, history is not often on the visitors’ side. But South Africa are different. The last time they played here, in Nagpur, India suffered the embarrassment of an innings loss, Amla scored a double century and Steyn was referred as ‘Steyn-gun’ in headlines.
Captains would say ‘history doesn’t matter’, but somewhere in the subconscious, it rewinds its own story.
With the combined quality of Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Morne Morkel in their armoury, an Imran Tahir might play the match of his life on this occasion.
About the team combinations… With Mishra likely to come in, Stuart Binny, who was in the playing XI in Bangalore, will have to make way. The rest should remain the same. For South Africa, life without Steyn and Vernon Philander, who too is a victim of injury, is a bit complicated. They might go in with an extra spinner in the form of Simon Harmer or Dane Piedt.
In a nutshell then, Mohali is all set for a good contest. Oops, Nagpur it will be.
Teams
India (likely): Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron.
South Africa (likely): Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Dane Vilas, Simon Harmer/ Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada/ Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
Umpires: Ian Gould, Bruce Oxenford
Match Referee: Jeff Crowe
Match starts: 9.30 am
