The year 2017 was exceptionally good for Virat Kohli and his boys. Last year, the Indian skipper shattered many records and proved that he is insatiable. Currently, the men-In-Blue under Kohli hold the record of nine consecutive Test series win along with Australia. But if the Indian squad manage to win the three-match Test series against South Africa, the India will become the first side to win 10 consecutive Test series.

However, if cricket experts and Pandits are anything to be believed, then India’s winning streak is under threat from South Africa and Proteas have the capacity to thrash the visitors in Africa.

However, Kohli’s side will try to do their best to dominate and win the series and by doing so they will become the first from India to win a Test series against South Africa in their backyard.

The Proteas have an advantage in the upcoming series as their players are well aware of the conditions of the pitch. Proteas will also like to return the favour by winning the series by 3-0, as they were beaten by India in 2015 by same score. Meanwhile, the cricket experts are also talking about how India became the number one Test team in the world by winning on Asian soil only. So the upcoming series is going to be tough challenge for Virat’s boys.

The opening and the first Test match of three match series will be played in Cape Town at Newlands, starting from January 5. The weather of the stadium is expected to be cloudy and humid. However, there is good news for Indian squad as South Africa have to choose between Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. And Steyn has not played any international match since November 2016.

Meanwhile, there is a big dilemma for Virat Kohli as well, as he has to decide who to bat at the 6th spot. Hardik Pandya is the best possible solution but will Kohli expose him or not, is yet to be seen. However, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form is great news for Team India.

Talking about the combination of the team, opener Murali Vijay said: “You cannot have a set pattern. You cannot go into a Test match thinking you are going to leave so many balls. You also have to be in a frame of mind where you also have to score runs. If they bowl in good areas, then you have to try to counter and come out stronger. These are the things, I think, which will be critical for us to move forward.”

Meanwhile, Vernon Philander said, “They [India] have played most of their games at home, so it’ll be interesting to see how they go in South Africa. It’s a total different ball game. We’re going to have to wait and see once they pass the first Test match.”

Prediction: In the first inning of the Test match, South Africa may dominate India but if Virat Kohli’s boys do well in the second, they have the chance to dominate the series.

India squad for SA Tests: Virat Kohli (Captain), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa squad – 1st Test: Faf du Plessis(c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn.