7 Tests in 77 days: India head into crucial phase in WTC cycle with Boxing Day Test in South Africa

The big guns are back after an extended break. Team India, including its captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, seem to have moved on from the World Cup final “heartbreak” and is looking forward to the upcoming challenges.

As Dravid pointed out, cricketers have no other option but to take their minds of a setback and focus on the next delivery, the next match, and the next tournament.

“Players are very good at moving on as we are forced to do that from the time you are kids,” Dravid said while addressing the media in Centurion, highlighting the need for India stars to refocus.

Captain Rohit Sharma is back. So are Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah after their extended breaks as India look to conquer their “final frontier” in South Africa.

The Boxing Day Test in Centurion marks the start of a crucial phase for India in their World Test Championship 2023-25 campaign. India have begun their new cycle well with a victory and a rain-affected draw in the West Indies, being amongst the toppers early in the WTC points table.
India might not have won a title yet in the longest format of the game, but they have a proud record of reaching the finals in the two editions of the marquee tournament held so far.

India are all set to play 7 Tests in less than 3 months, 77 days to be precise. The two-Test series in South Africa, starting on Boxing Day, is expected to be their toughest challenge, considering their track record in the Rainbow Nation in the longest format of the game. India are also set to play a 5-Test series at home against a spirited England side, which has promised Bazball in India, from January 25 to March 11.

The focus, much to the delight of the purists, will be on the red-ball format for the next few months before T20 becomes a major talking point in the T20 World Cup year.

All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and his men as India look to win a Test series for the first time in South Africa. India have played 23 Tests in the Rainbow Nation since their maiden tour in 1992 and have managed just 4 wins.

In the last decade, India have conquered Australia, not once but twice, and have given England a run for their money in England. However, it’s been a story of near-misses in South Africa so far.

In 2018-19, India fought valiantly against a high-quality South African side but they went down 2-1, securing a sensational win on a spiteful pitch in Johannesburg. In 2021-22, India’s challenge in Tests fizzled out despite their opening win in Centurion. In a turbulent tour, Virat Kohli failed to lead his men to a famous Test series victory.

However, things are looking bright once again. Virat Kohli has nicely settled into his role as the senior member of the team who has learned the art of staying in the background and guiding Rohit Sharma, who is a relatively young Test captain. Rohit has a steely resolve after the near-miss in the World Cup and head coach Dravid is more experienced and settled as the head coach of the senior national time than the last time in South Africa.

Rohit Sharma has already spoken about the desperation in the team to win “something big” and a maiden series victory in South Africa might help him heal the wounds of the World Cup disappointment.

THE PROTEA CHALLENGE

South Africa don’t have the class of the 2018-19 side, but they showed in 2021-22 that they can get the job done in familiar conditions. After a good World Cup run, Temba Bavuma and his men will be raring to have a crack at the visiting Indian side.
Yes, there are concerns over the fitness of their pace-bowling unit leaders, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, but South Africa have enough firepower to make life difficult for the Indians.

Dean Elgar, who has been a big hurdle for India in Tests in South Africa, will be hoping to sign off on a high in his farewell Test, but there are weaknesses in South Africa’s batting unit that India would want to exploit.

On the other hand, India have headed to South Africa without their experienced pacer and World Cup hero, Mohammed Shami, who was ruled out due to an injury. Yet, India have the tools to script something memorable in the Rainbow Nation.

With a good mix of experience and youth, India will be raring to do well in the 2-Test series and a good start in the Boxing Day Test will be crucial. All eyes will be on the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Prasdh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar, the first-timers in South Afrca who face the biggest tests of their nascent careers.

India have the luxury of options to choose from. They can play the first Test even without the World No. 1 bowler, R Ashwin, and opt for an extra seam-bowling all-rounder.

ENGLAND AT HOME NEXT

India’s confidence will have a major boost if they win a Test or two in South Africa. In the New Year, India have a crucial 5-Test series at home against an England side, which is promising exciting cricket.

After Alastair Cook’s side did the unthinkable in 2012-13, touring teams have been blown away by India. Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa have had very little answers to the spin threat from India over the years.

However, Ben Stokes’s side are threatening to take on the Indian attack, taking confidence from their hugely successful approach to Test cricket, famously known as ‘Bazball’. England may not have the quality of the touring sides from the past, but they are playing a fearless brand of cricket that has rattled quite a few opposition teams in the last 12 months.

India are clear favourites for the big Test series at home, considering the hunger that Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin have displayed in the recent past.However, it will be interesting to see if the Stokes-Brendon McCullum combo can spring a surprise.

At the end of the next 77 days, India’s World Test Championship 2023-25 fate will be sealed. Buckle up for what promises to be an exciting ride!