IBPXI - 296
RSA - 46/2 (8.2 Ovs)
CRR: 5.52
Batting R(B) 4s 6s SR
Elgar 18(18) 4 0 100
Bowling O M R W
SN Thakur 4.2 0 28 2
Last wkt: Simon Harmer c N Ojha b SN Thakur 4(3)
Recent balls: . . . . . . | . . . . . . | . . . . . .
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Commentary
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Teams:
South Africa (11 batting, 11 feilding): Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Hashim Amla(c), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Temba Bavuma, Dane Vilas(w), Vernon Philander, Simon Harmer, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt, Morne Morkel
Indian Board President XI (11 batting, 11 feilding): Lokesh Rahul, Unmukt Chand, Cheteshwar Pujara(c), Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Naman Ojha(w), Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Nathu Singh, Karn Sharma, Sheldon Jackson
Indian Board President XI have won the toss and have opted to bat
Preview:
The laid-back atmosphere at the Brabourne Stadium, the home of the Cricket Club of India, is a far cry from the bustle of Mumbai. The general air of calm was all pervading even during the practice sessions of the Board President's XI, led by Cheteshwar Pujara.
It forms the perfect setting for a two-day practice game ahead of the rigors of Test cricket. In theory, a two-day game is hardly enough practice for the visiting South Africans to get acclimatised to the conditions and demands of the longer format. But, a majority of the Test squad has already been in India for over a month now and they have the confidence of a first-ever One-Day International (ODI) series win in these conditions.
They've also slowly earned the reputation of being the best touring team in the world currently. That said, Test cricket is a "different kettle of fish" as their opener Stiaan van Zyl says.
The primary focus is, of course, playing spin. South Africa will have the services of Australian Michael Hussey during the practice game and until the Test series starts. It has become a trend for visiting batsmen to look completely at sea against spin. South Africa are no exception as was evident in the Chennai ODI, but they are taking steps to counter it.
"I was fortunate to have played so many overs in a day in the A game in Kerala (the opener scored 96 on a turning track) with guys around the bat. You have to find a way to get off the strike because it will get difficult if they sit on you and put pressure. Getting off the strike and putting a loose ball away is crucial," says van Zyl.
The practice game offers South Africa a chance to throw some of the lesser experienced players into the line of fire. The likes of Dane Piedt, Dane Vilas, Simon Harmer, Temba Bavuma and van Zyl himself did not partake in the ODI series but will be key components of the Test squad. It also promises to give an indication as to what their combinations might be going into the Test series. Will they be willing to pick two spinners? Or will they stick with their three pacers-one spinner strategy?
Van Zyl considers himself to be a bit of an all-rounder. "If there are stages where the main bowlers need rest, I can come in and bowl a few overs and stop an end. It is a positive thing that I can bat and bowl and it brings something to the team as well. I would love to bowl," he says.
JP Duminy has a split webbing due to which he missed out on the last two ODIs and is '50-50 for the first Test' according to their media manager. He was initially picked as someone who can chip in with vital overs of spin. His injury has thrown a spanner in the works but Morne Morkel is recovering fine from his side strain. Although he is not expected to play a significant part in the practice game, Morkel is expected to be fit for the first Test. That will be more important from South Africa's perspective.
On the other side, is the Board President's XI led by Pujara, who faces an interesting predicament himself. More than the result, these games matter more for the individuals. Pujara could well be dropped co