Ashwin included in playing 11

Jadeja ruled out on account of back-spasm

Prasidh is a promising prospect: Dravid

In the Boxing day test match between India and South Africa in the Centurion stadium, the proteas have won the toss and opted to bowl first. Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna was handed his maiden test cap by Jasprit Bumrah. There were speculations that India’s leading spinner Ravichandran Ashwin might miss out on the test owing to the conditions favouring 4 pacers in the squad .But he has earned a spot owing to all-rounder Jadeja suffering from a back spasm. Indian coach Rahul Dravid placed his faith in Prasidh Krishna’s selection. “Prasidh is a promising prospect, but we have to be realistic that this is his first Test match. He hasn’t had a lot of first-class cricket to fall back on because of a number of reasons. But I’m hoping he has a good game and enjoys himself. It’s such a lovely moment when we give out a new cap to someone,” he said. Prasidh Krishna’s height is ideal in South African conditions to extract bounce. This is a trick India missed in their 3-0 ODI series loss in January 2022. 

India has never won a test series in South Africa. Dravid still has faith in the team. “We have the ability to take 20 wickets. You need some luck in these conditions as well; there are a lot of plays and misses. You have to ensure you put the ball in right areas and bat with discipline and recognise that you’re never in, in these conditions in South Africa. You need to get little things right against a good team like South Africa,’ Dravid said.