Virat Kohli made a century of some significance at the Wanderers on Wednesday, not least because it was the first century by an Indian in the South African adventure. Slotted into Sachin Tendulkar?s beloved No 4 position, Kohli?s 119 runs in 181 balls came at time when India desperately needed a miracle to happen. He arrived at the crease when India was 24 for two against one of the best quick bowling attacks and top-ranked teams in the cricketing Test world.
India?s South African sojourn has never ended well, having won only two of the last 10 one-day internationals (ODIs) they have played against the hosts. Team India?s overall away record in ODIs against South Africa reads even worse?India has won just five out of the 25 ODIs against the Proteas. In the recently concluded ODI series too, India failed to win a single match.
Apart from a handful of batsmen, like Sachin Tendulkar or Virender Sehwag, no one else has been able to adjust to the pace and bounce of the wickets there. While Tendulkar posted five Test centuries in South Africa, Sehwag scored a ton playing his debut Test in 2001. Kohli has now become the eighth Indian batsman to register a ton in Tests in the African country.
With a host of promising players, India?s ongoing Test series in South Africa may turn out to be a game-changer.
Here?s a list of five players who may actually make a difference this time around and bring the smiles back on India?s cricket fans.
THE NEW NO 4
Currently the world No 2 ODI batsman, Kohli has shown great temperament as a top-order batsman. He has hit six centuries in international cricket this year alone, equalling South Africa?s AB de Villiers and Shikhar Dhawan for the most by any batsman in 2013. Moreover, Kohli?s century in this match will surely boost his confidence for the remaining tour.
Test figures
* Matches: 21
* Runs: 1,450
*Highest score: 119
*100s: 5
HUNGRY FOR MORE
Zaheer Khan
Making a comeback to the side after been out of international cricket for almost a year, Khan is hungry for wickets. He opted to stay out of the recent West indies series to prepare for this tour. Khan?s experience in the host country?he?s the leading wicket-taker for India in South Africa with 19 wickets from 10 matches?makes him India?s strike bowler for the ongoing series.
Test figures
* Matches:88
* Wickets: 299
*Best bowling: 10/149
*5 wickets: 10
MR DEPENDABLE
Cheteshwar Pujara
Playing at No 3, Pujara is one batsman who is technically perfect, mentally shy and calm and is never ready to throw his wicket away. His earlier stint in South Africa, with the India A team, was very successful. He is also riding high on confidence from his three consecutive first-class centuries before leaving for South Africa and the 153 runs he scored on Saturday.
Test figures
* Matches: 16
* Runs: 1,488
*Highest score: 206 not out
*100s: 6
NEW BLOOD
Mohammed Shami
Another new blood in the Indian team, Shami has proved with his bowling against West Indies in the recent series that he has pace and skills to take wickets. And the pace and bounce of South African wickets should suit Shami?s bowling. His simple bowling action also makes him less prone to injuries.
Test figures
*Matches: 3
* Wickets: 13
*Best bowling: 9/118
*5 wickets: 1
TESTING TIMES
Rohit Sharma
Though he has been playing well in the domestic front, the biggest challenge for Sharma was to play in Tests abroad. And with this chance to play in South Africa, he would be eager to prove himself as a Test batsman. Moreover, his recent form and experience as the captain of Mumbai Indians?who are the champions in IPL as well as Champions League 2013?are an added advantage.
Test figures
*Matches: 3
* Runs: 308
* Highest score: 177
* 100s: 2
All figures till the time the article was published
