South African skipper Temba Bavuma is looking forward to bringing his ‘A game’ against India while admitting that it will be a tough battle on the field in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl first in the Boxing Day Test match against India at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Under the overcast skies, skipper Bavuma put India to bat first and reckoned that the South African pacers would look to make use of the conditions and put pressure on Indian batters by making early in-roads. South Africa’s ace-pacer Lungi Ngidi is not fully fit and hence missed out on the playing.
“We’ll bowl first. The wicket has been undercover, we want to use the moisture and make early inroads. Our boys have all got into reasonably fit conditions, Lungi is the only one who’s not yet fully fit,” Bavuma said.
Pacer Nandre Burger and middle-order batter David Bedingham made debuts for the hosts in the 1st Test match.
“Two debutants today – Nandre Burger and David Bedingham. We’re playing with four seamers for this one,” Bavuma added.
Bavuma talked about the significance of the Freedom series and the sentiments attached to it. He also admitted of being wary of the No. 1 Test team India, despite playing in their home conditions. Bavuma showed confidence in his team to play their best game against a formidable Indian side.
“We look forward to come up against India. We know it’s going to be a tough battle on the field, and we have to be on our A game. Dean Elgar’s last series adds to how special the series will be, and also the sentiments attached to the freedom series,” Bavuma said.
“It is always difficult to come up against India, but we are ready with our preparation,” Bavuma added.
Bavuma also called it a special series because it would be the last for South Africa’s veteran opener Dean Elgar. Meanwhile, for India, Prasidh Krishna made his Test debut. Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the 1st Test due to a back spasm and Ravichandran Ashwin was chosen in India’s spin department.
