Out-of-form batsman Ajinkya Rahane has been selected in India‘s playing eleven, with pacer Mohammed Siraj also included as skipper Virat Kohli elected to bat in the opening Test against South Africa in Centurion on Sunday. 

Rahane’s selection was one of the big talking points ahead of the much-anticipated three-match Test series, with India eyeing its first-ever series win in the rainbow nation. Shreyas Iyer, who impressed in the recent home series against New Zealand and middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari were touted for selection ahead of the 33-year-old, but the Men In Blue went with the tried-and-tested formula at the top of the order. 

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Kohli also confirmed Shardul Thakur has been selected as the all-rounder option in the line-up, which includes four pacers and a lone spinner – Ravichandran Ashwin. 

Speaking about his decision to bat in overcast conditions, Kohli said that the team’s strength away from home has been “runs on the board”. 

“The pitch tends to quicken up here on Day 2-3. Our success away from home started from the series we played here last time,” Kohli said at the toss. 

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The 33-year-old also said that South Africa is a “very challenging place to play”, adding the home “unit is always strong and they know the conditions”. 

Meanwhile, South Africa skipper Dean Elgar said he is “nice and relaxed” and is ” looking forward to what is going to be a brilliant Test series”. “We had a good week’s camp in Johannesburg. We are prepared as best as we could,” Elgar said. 

The 34-year-old confirmed pacer Marco Jansen is making his debut, with Wiaan Mulder selected as the all-rounder. 

Playing XIs:

South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

India: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj