Predicting India XI to Face South Africa in 1st Test in Johannesburg
India's preparation for their Test series against South Africa has been far from ideal. A limp performance in the ODI series resulted in a morale-bruising 2-0 loss while inclement weather washed out their only red-ball practice game.
And with South Africa's fearsome pace attack raring to get stuck in, MS Dhoni team can't afford to get their selection wrong for the forthcoming first Test.
But there are plenty of questions to answer: Will Zaheer Khan return? How many spinners do they need? And most prominently, who will replace Sachin Tendulkar in the heart of the middle order?
With the main event growing ever closer, let's predict the side that will be on the field when the first Test gets underway at Jo'burg on Wednesday.
1: Shikhar Dhawan
1 of 11
Matches: 3
Runs: 243
Average: 81.00
Shikhar Dhawan's inflated average will be put to the test by a bowling attack spearheaded by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
But if the swashbuckling left-hander can put bat to ball early on, then India should get off to some flying starts.
2: Murali Vijay
2 of 11
Matches: 18
Runs: 1108
Average: 38.20
Perhaps the least-heralded member of India's star-studded team, Murali Vijay has proved to be a steady presence at the top of the order.
Considering the lack of match practice the side have had, Vijay's previous experience of playing Test cricket in South Africa could be important.
3: Cheteshwar Pujara
3 of 11
Matches: 15
Runs: 1310
Average: 65.50
Cheteshwar Pujara is the rock of India's batting order and will play a key role coming in for the first wicket.
With four centuries in his last seven first-class innings, including a double and triple ton, there's no doubting the man from Saurashtra is in form.
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4: Virat Kohli
4 of 11
Matches: 20
Runs: 1235
Average: 41.16
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. It's highly likely that Virat Kohli will get the first opportunity to fill the Little Master's sizable boots.
If anyone has the confidence to do it, it's the Royal Challengers Bangalore stalwart.
5: Rohit Sharma
5 of 11
Matches: 2
Runs: 288
Average: 288.00
Rohit Sharma brings a small matter of two centuries in two innings and an average of 288 with him to the crease.
Obviously he won't be able to maintain this, but the 26-year-old oozes class in the the No. 5 position.
6: Ajinkya Rahane
6 of 11
Matches: 1
Runs: 8
Average: 4.00
Do you go for an out-and-out batsman or a spinning all-rounder? With a potent attack like South Africa's, India will probably take the safer option and choose the stronger run-scoring skills of Ajinkya Rahane over Ravindra Jadeja.
The 25-year-old already has one Test appearance, but will look to earn a permanent place in the side over the next couple of matches.
7: MS Dhoni (Capt and WK)
7 of 11
Matches: 79
Runs: 4255
Average: 39.39
Mahendra Singh Dhoni continues to be the finest leader of men in the international game and is capable of changing matches with the bat.
The wicketkeeper is sure to lead his troops by example and his tactical battle with Graeme Smith could be decisive.
8: Ravichandran Ashwin
8 of 11
Matches: 18
Runs: 770
Average: 40.52
Wickets: 104
Average: 27.47
Despite a limited contribution in the recent ODI series, Ravichandran Ashwin remains a vital component of the Test team as evidenced by his 12 wickets and a century in two Tests against the West Indies recently.
With India likely to play just one main spinner in this match, the off-spinner may spend more time holding up an end rather than attacking.
9: Zaheer Khan
9 of 11
Matches: 88
Wickets: 295
Average: 32.35
The long-awaited return of Zaheer Khan will finally be over and South African skipper Graeme Smith has more reason than most to fear the skillful left-armer; he's claimed Smith's wicket 13 times previously.
But whether he can recapture his form of old after a lengthy spell out injured remains to be seen.
10: Mohammed Shami
10 of 11
Matches: 2
Wickets: 11
Average: 16.54
Mohammed Shami will retain his place in the side after impressing against the West Indies and taking 11 wickets. The Bengali man's ability to find reverse swing with the old ball could be crucial.
His performances in the ODI series, where he took three wickets in each game, were also promising.
11: Ishant Sharma
11 of 11
Matches: 51
Wickets: 144
Average: 37.99
After his performance at Centurion, where he took for 4/40 and caused the South Africans lots of problems, it would be no surprise to see Ishant Sharma complete the pace attack.
His recall would represent quite a recovery after being dropped for the recent series against Australia, but the South African tracks could be perfect for Sharma's style.
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