India are set to face South Africa in the
second Test at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg from Monday. Currently
leading the series 1-0 with a 113-run victory in Centurion, India will look to
seal the three-match Test series in Johannesburg. If Virat Kohli’s team win the
Johannesburg Test, India will take a 2-0 lead and clinch their maiden Test
series in South Africa with the third Test in Cape Town remaining. By winning
the Johannesburg Test, India will become the first Asian side to win a Test
series in SENA countries – South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.

Also Read: ‘New year, new start, same focus’: India gear up to face SA at Wanderers

India’s record at the Wanderers has also
been wonderful as they have never lost a Test match at this venue. India so far
have played five Tests at this venue and won two while three matches ended in
draws. South Africa, on the other hand, have a mixed record. They have played
42 Tests at the Wanderers, winning 18 and losing 13 and 11 matches ended in a
draw.

Also Read: SA vs IND: Stump mic catches Virat Kohli using The Rock’s iconic WWE catchphrase in 1st Test

India captain Kohli played two Tests at the Wanderers and scored 310 runs at an average of 77.50 with a hundred and two fifties. Kohli, who has been struggling to find his form, will look to bring the curtain down on his lean patch with a solid performance at the Wanderers. Cheteshwar Pujara, who is currently out of form, also has played two Tests at Johannesburg and made 229 runs at 57.25 with a hundred and fifty.

Also Read: Babar Azam terms T20 World Cup win vs India best moment for Pakistan in 2021

Considering Johannesburg’s sporting wicket,
India may bring a change in the pace department with Umesh Yadav finding a
place in the team in place of Shardul Thakur. Though Thakur did not do anything
wrong to get axed from the second Test, Umesh Yadav could be preferred because
of his ability to generate pace and bounce which would potentially unsettle
Proteas’ inexperienced batting attack.

Also Read: From South Africa tour to T20 World Cup: India’s full schedule in 2022

The rest of the pace attack will remain the
same as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj have done excellent
jobs in the Centurion Test. Ravichandran Ashwin will be the team’s prime
spinner.

Also Read: The wait goes on: No international ton for Virat Kohli for 2nd straight year

In the batting department, team management
needs to fix a few issues with two top batters Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane out of
form. 

Also Read: From Gabba Test to Olympic gold: India’s top 10 sporting moments of 2021

India could consider Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer to solidify India’s batting prowess against South Africa’s pacers to keep their reputation at the Wanderers unbroken.