Team India batters, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hit the nets as they prepare to take on hosts South Africa in the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26, Tuesday.
India haven't won a Test series in South Africa in their last eight visits to the country since 1992. Last year, the touring party lost the three-match Test series despite taking a lead of 1-0 after winning the 1st Test in Centurion.
This time, Rohit Sharma-led side will look to leave no stone unturned to break 30-year shackle of not winning the Test series in rainbow. As visitors prepare to lock horns with Proteas in the 1st Test, Indian batters were sweating hard in the nets.
In a video released by Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI), Indian batters were seen playing aggressive and defensive shots in a closed as well as open sets. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravindra Jadeja were training hard in the nets ahead of Test series opener against South Africa.
India and South Africa will take on each other in the 1st Test i.e. Boxing Day Test in Centurion, followed up with second Test at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on January 3.
Last week, India moved to top of the WTC 2023-25 points table after Pakistan's humiliating 360-run defeat to Australia in Perth Test. The Men in Blue will be aiming to win both Tests to remain at the top spot WTC points table.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play first Test since World Cup Final Loss
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will make their first appearance for Team India after heartbreaking World Final loss against Australia last month. Jasprit Bumrah will too return to action after being rested for white-ball series against South Africa following World Cup final.
Kohli had to leave for London due to family emergency and missed three-day Intra-squad practice match ahead of South Africa Test series. However, the former India captain managed to rejoin the squad in time and began hitting the nets.
Meanwhile, India will miss the services of Mohammed Shami, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan as they'd been ruled out of the Test series.
