South Africa vs India first Test day two: Tips and suggested bets
- James Richardson
- 26 December 2023
Planet sport offers a handful of predictions alongside tips and suggested bets for the second day of the first Test between India and South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
South Africa and India are locked in an enthralling battle on a typical pace-friendly highveld wicket at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
The home side had won the toss and put India in to bat but saw the balance of play repeatedly see-saw as the tourists put up a tremendous fight in tough conditions.
South Africa were also profligate in the field letting catches slip when they could have sent key men packing early for India. India would reach 208 for seven largely due to a brilliant unbeaten 70 from KL Rahul who really enjoys batting at SuperSport Park it seems.
Rahul scored a hundred on his last visit and is just about nailed on to be India's top scorer in the first innings. With a first day five-fer Kagiso Rabada has also ensured that he will end the innings as the pick of the Proteas bowlers.
South Africa vs India first Test day two: Suggested bets
Rahul will resume batting with the tail on the second morning with Mohammad Siraj keeping him company when stumps were drawn. There is value to be gleaned from backing Rahul to be the next man out, considering he might well attempt to farm the strike in pursuit of a hundred and pushing the total beyond 250 and towards 300.
If a refocused South African attack can wind up and finish India off quickly in the morning, they could earn their backers a considerable windfall with odds as long as 4/1 on India being knocked over for less than 220.
On the flipside, if you think that Rahul could engineer his way to a hundred batting with the tail, you could get a tidy return for your faith in the India wicketkeeper.
If Mohammad Siraj has to face Nandre Burger early on the second morning it will really bring in the potential of the India No 10 being castled as the next dismissal in the match.
