Buoyed by their historic victory in the first Test, India will look to continuing the momentum by fielding an unchanged side in the second cricket Test against South Africa beginning at the Kingsmead ground tomorrow.
With India struggling at the top of the order, speculation was rife that opener Gautam Gambhir, who impressed in the practice game, would come in place of Wasim Jaffer while fit-again seamer Munaf Patel could replace VRV Singh.
But opinion within the team is to stick with the same combination which earned them the victory at the Wanderers to build on their 1-0 advantage.
Gambhir looked good in the two-day game against Kwazulu-Natal Eleven but the team management may not attach much value to runs made against a sub-standard attack.
On the other hand, Jaffer might have had miserable last eight outings, but he nevertheless hit a double century only four Tests ago in the West Indies.
Jaffer's monumental double century in the first Test in Antigua is cited as reason enough to persist with the opener.
Patel has been of great value to Indian team in the last 12 months, both in Tests and one-dayers, but the team would be averse to risk him in a pressure-cooker atmosphere at the Kingsmead, more so when they would be fielding only four bowlers.
{{/usCountry}}Patel has been of great value to Indian team in the last 12 months, both in Tests and one-dayers, but the team would be averse to risk him in a pressure-cooker atmosphere at the Kingsmead, more so when they would be fielding only four bowlers.
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