IND vs SA, 2nd Test: South Africa Opt to Bat, India Bring in Ravindra Jadeja and Mukesh Kumar

South Africa captain Dean Elgar, in the absence of regular skipper Temba Bavuma, opted to bat first against Rohit Sharma’s India in the second Test of the two-match series at the Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.

India vs South Africa, 2nd Test Day 1 – LIVE

Elgar, who playing his last test match, said South Africa have made three changes to their side.

“Going to bat. Pitch looks interesting. We’re in a great position. Can’t win a two-match series if you don’t win the first – we’ve crossed that hurdle. Scoreboard starts on nought. We all know that. Starting well is going to be key against this Indian side,” Elgar said.

“Got a debutant in Tristan Stubbs coming in for Temba. (Lungi) Ngidi comes in for (Gerland) Coetzee who’s also injured. And Maharaj comes in,” he added.

Rohit Sharma accpeted that he would have batted first if he had won the toss, ading that India have made two changes.

“Would’ve batted first as well. Looks a good pitch. We understand the challenge of batting first on that pitch, but nevertheless, there will be enough in the pitch for the seamers, so hopefully we’ll cash in on it. Important to forget what’s happened in the past. We understand the importance of getting runs on the board, and getting 20 wickets. Didn’t happen in the first game but we’re upbeat about what we can achieve here,” Rohit said.

“Two changes. (Ravindra) Jadeja comes back for (Ravichandran) Ashwin. Shardul (Thakur) misses out, Mukesh Kumar replaces him,” he added.

India vs South Africa PLaying XI –

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar

South Africa: Dean Elgar(c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi