Second test of the Freedom Trophy and 11th test of the ICC World Test Championship, where India is leading the table currently, is going to play from October 10th at the Maharastra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, where India’s record is one of the poorest in India, though the ground will witness only the second test, same as Visakhapatnam, but the home team was defeated with very high margin of 333 runs by Australia in February 2017. The left hand orthodox Australian spinner took 12 wickets after giving merely 70 runs, and made his career best bowling. India did not even cross just 125 runs in any of the innings and the tourist allowed the host to put only 212 runs throughout the test.
The home side has chance to improve the record on the ground, as India has upper hand not only after winning the first test but also good performance in both, bowling and batting, departments. India might play with the same eleven, a sweet pain for the team as well as the players.
South Africa might do couple of changes, and asked Z. Hamza to take place of T. De Bruyn, and, unfortunate for D. Piedt, could ask D. Piedt to empty the place for L. Ngidi, as fast bowling is the main strength for them. S. Muthusamy got the place for the 7th position, though his primary work is spin bowling and he could do much in his debut test but contribute through his batting and scored 82 without being out in any of the innings, could remain his spot, but he has to compete with K. Maharaj. The selection could be a big headache for visitors.
India might go with the eleven: RG. Sharma, M. Agarwal, C. Pujara, V.Kohli, A. Rahane, H. Vihari, W. Saha, R. Jadeja, R. Ashwin, I. Sharma, M. Shami
South Africa might go with the eleven: D. Elgar, A. Markram, F. Du Plessis, Z. Hamza, T. Bavuma, Q. De Kock, V. Muthusamy, V. Philander, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, D. Piedt / L. Ngidi.
