After a flabbergasting T20I series, India will lock horns with South Africa in the longest format of the game. The three-match Test series will start on October 2 with the first match to be played at Vishakhapatnam. The Indian side are at the pinnacle of the Test match rankings and will step into the first encounter as favourites. However, the South African side also consists of a few players who can spoil India’s party and cause an upset. The tourists are going through a transition phase and might not be as robust as they were a few years ago but there are still some players who can make the opposition run for their money.

South Africa’s run in international cricket dipped ever since the retirement of Ab de Villiers and got worse when Hashim Amla bid adieu to the game too. Nevertheless, Some young guns have shown great promise and might guide South Africa to greater heights again. The recently concluded T20I series was evidence of the visitor’s ability as they brilliantly bounced in the third T20I after being thrashed in the second one. So, focusing on the topic, let’s look at five players who might upset Virat Kohli and Co. in their own den.

1. Faf du Plessis

The Proteas skipper, the most experienced player in the South African squad, will be the mainstay of the team’s batting line-up in the upcoming series. The veteran is a regular face in the IPL and is well-known to the Indian conditions. Adding to that, Du Plessis has also faced the spin pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the nets of Chennai Super Kings, which might work in his favour too. So, the 35-year-old will be critical to the team’s success and will aim to deliver well.

2. Quinton de Kock

The wicket-keeper has started the Indian tour in fine style and scored two consecutive fifties in T20Is. The southpaw will aim to extend his purple patch in Tests too by playing some swashbuckling innings. De Kock has been sensational in 2019 Tests and has amassed 428 runs in four matches with the best score of 129. So, De Kock will look to replicate his heroics and might hamper India’s great run in Test cricket.

3. Dean Elgar

The left-handed opener might not be one of the most flamboyant batsmen but is certainly effective on-field. Elgar is technically sound and is a veteran of the game too. The southpaw was the part of South Africa’s 2015 Test squad and who delivered some decent performances. Since then, the batsman has really grown his stature and became a vital cog of South Africa’s Test side. So, the Proteas will expect the opener to fire up and give the team a good start.

4. Kagiso Rabada

Remember the fiery spell of Dale Steyn in Ahmedabad when South Africa toured India in 2009? Well, South Africa’s new pace sensation Kagiso Rabada is considered to be the successor of Steyn and will aim to replicate the former’s success. The right-arm pacer is one of the best bowlers and has rattled many great line-ups in the past. Rabada is currently placed at the second position in ICC Test bowler’s ranking and will target the pinnacle position in the upcoming series.

5. Keshav Maharaj

They say spin is the key to success in Indian soil which means Keshav Maharaj will have to deliver in order to put South Africa in a commanding position. The 94-wicket veteran is around the national team for quite a while and has proved his mettle too. Maharaj will want to use the old ball to a great effect and hassle the Indian middle-order. So, Faf du Plessis will bank on Maharaj to dismantle the Indian batting line-up.

Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the Test series due to a lower-back injury which has certainly created a void in the Indian team. Bumrah was in top form against West Indies and his ouster is a great breather for the hosts. So South Africa will take a lot of confidence from all these facts and will intend to defeat Virat Kohli and Co. at home.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2019 04:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).