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Live Scorecard and Commentary of this match can be followed at http://live.cricketfundas.com
The highly competitive 2-Test Match Series between World No.1 India led by MS Dhoni and World No.2 South Africa led by Graeme Smith kicks off from tomorrow at Nagpur. The first Test will be a huge challenge for the hosts as they are missing the two big names of Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh in the batting line-up while VVS Laxman is a doubtful starter due to his webbing injury. But both sides have their strengths and weakness with the tourists not having a powerful bowling attack like in the past.
India are likely to field in two debutants S Badrinath and Rohit Sharma. Badrinath is sure to get his debut while Rohit Sharma, the Skipper of the Board President’s XI team has been asked to stay back at Nagpur as a cover to VVS Laxman. Should Rohit make his debut then India would have three relatively new batsmen in their line-up which includes Vijay and Badri taking on the biggest challenge. The hosts have a predictable bowling attack with Zaheer, Ishant as the pace duo and Harbhajan, Pragyan Ojha as the two spinners.
Pitch and Weather Conditions at Nagpur : The pitch at the new VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur had shown good pace and bounce in the previous matches. Strokeplay could be generally easy on this pitch because of the ball nicely coming onto the bat. Bowlers perhaps need to strike early when the batsmen are new at the crease otherwise it could be a run feast. The weather hasn’t been the best leading into the Test Match and rain continues to be a threat.
India Squad for first Test at Nagpur : MS Dhoni (C & WK), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Sudeep Tyagi, Abhimanyu Mithun and Wriddhiman Saha (WK)
South Africa Squad for first Test at Nagpur : Graeme Smith (C), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (WK), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe