Virat Kohli’s odds look tough in India’s third test against South Africa in Cape Town

Jan 8, 2022

By: Sriram Iyer

Credit: BCCL

India has never won a test match at the Newlands Cricket Ground in...

...Cape Town and the upcoming test will be the series decider.

Credit: BCCL

The final match will be held from January 11 to January 15.

Credit: BCCL

India has lost three of the five test matches played at Newlands, Cape Town, and drawn the other two.

Credit: BCCL

South Africa has won five out of the last seven tests in Cape Town, lost one (in 2020)...

... and drew one (in 2016), both against England.

Credit: BCCL

Newlands is one of the few grounds that’s good for spinners, but the...

...Indian team has never really been able to capitalise on it.

Credit: BCCL

In the current squad, other than R Ashwin, there is only one spinner, Jayant Yadav.

Credit: BCCL

Jayant Yadav, with 16 wickets from 5 tests in his career, has played only 2 tests for India since 2017.

Credit: BCCL

The pitch at Cape Town has also been a high scoring one in...

...recent times with at least three scores of over 600 in recent years.

Credit: ICC

South African opener Dean Elgar, who led the Proteas to victory at the Wanderers, averages over 50 at Newlands

Credit: BCCL

In 2018, Elgar broke the record of Desmond Haynes at Cape Town by batting...

...through the innings, remaining not out at 141, while all other batters fell to Australian bowlers.

Credit: BCCL

Meanwhile, none of the current Indian batters have any record of significance in Newlands, Cape Town.

Credit: BCCL

India vs South Africa second Test: SA will be hoping to break Team India’s lucky charm at the Wanderers