India is now eyeing to win the big battle overseas as Virat Kohli and company are eagerly waiting to script history at the upcoming Freedom Series Trophy between India and South Africa. India’s powerful performance in the recently concluded test, ODI and T20 series against Sri Lanka has clearly vindicated our position in the world as a team to reckon with.

India tour of South Africa 2018: Schedule, Preview & Live Streaming

After the conclusion of the recent India-Sri Lanka series, incumbent captain Rohit Sharma admitted that forthcoming India’s tour of South Africa will be a different ball game altogether. India are expected to put up a big fight against the Proteas at their backyards with full might.

In the last couple of years, India’s success has been phenomenal. They beat both South Africa and West India almost in a one-sided manner at overseas tours and followed the same with one spectacular performance after another at home. India definitely looks invincible on paper.

India wary of South African pitches

Despite India’s thumping performance in recent times, the real test will be checked on South African soil. The Proteas are always the best when playing at home. Be it batting, bowling or fielding, South Africans exactly know how to counter the opponent’s game-plan in a subtle manner.

South Africa are in magnificent form these days, and currently standing on the second spot at the latest ICC Test Team Rankings with only India ahead of them. Following South Africa series, India will also play at England, Australia and New Zealand later next year. So, team India must be definitely looking forward to start New Year on a winning note.

Bouncy tracks to trouble India More!

Well, South Africa’s seaming and bouncy tracks will definitely trouble Indian batsmen for sure. Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane’s form is worrisome too. The dashing right hander managed mere 17 runs in his last five outings. Coach Ravi Shastri stated to media that Rahane will regain his form soon. Amidst India’s other key players, Rahane will also play a key role in the forthcoming series.

Considering Protea’s fast pitches, Captain Virat Kohli will depend a lot on India’s fast bowlers including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, newbie Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav. Experts feel that experienced Ishant Sharma will perform well there as he is well familiar with those fast tracks.

As always, Virat Kohli will be crucial in the entire series. If he continues his good form then certainly it will be ominous for the African side. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay will open the innings. Rohit Sharma, Pujara and Ravinder Jadeja will be the other key batsmen in this series.

A word of caution for India

Former South African Skipper Graeme Smith remarked that this series will be a litmus test for India batsmen against the quality pace attack at fast pitches. Both sides will be under tremendous pressure to outwit each other.

With Ab De Villiers’s inclusion, South Africa’s batting has got enormous strength. Also, India will have to tackle the likes of Hashim Amla, Bavuma, Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis with immaculate line and length or they will take the match away from India’s hands.

Can India win their maiden series in South Africa?

Also, the pace quartet of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander will certainly try to dismantle India’s strong batting order early on. Interestingly, India have never won any series in South Africa. Can they re-write history this time?

Well, only the time will reveal that. As far as ODI matches are concerned, then fans will certainly see some nail-biting moments. Any win from South Africa at their home will be tough yet certainly possible if India continues to show aggressive cricket that they demonstrated against Sri Lanka and Australia a recent while back.

Full Schedule with time and venue – India vs South Africa 2018 Series

1st Test: 5^th to 9^th January, 2018 at Cape Town, 2 PM IST.

2nd Test: 13^th to 17^th January, 2018 at Centurion, 1.30 pm IST.

3rd Test: 24^th to 28^th January, 2018 at Johannesburg, 1.30 pm IST.

1st ODI: 1^st February, 2018 at Durban, 4.30 pm IST.

2nd ODI: 4^th February, 2018 at Centurion, 1.30 pm IST.

3rd ODI: 7^th February, 2018 at Cape Town, 4.30 pm IST.

4th ODI: 10^th February, 2018 at Johannesburg, 4.30 pm IST.

5th ODI: 13^th February 2018 at Port Elizabeth, 4.30 pm IST.

6th ODI: 16^th February 2018 at Centurion, 4.30 pm IST.

1st T20I: 18^th February, 2018 at Johannesburg, 6 pm IST.

2nd T20I: 21 February, 2018 at Centurion, 9.30 pm IST.

3rd T20I: 24 February, 2018 at Cape Town, 9.30 pm IST.

India vs South Africa 2018 Live Streaming

The Indian cricket team will play three Test matches, six ODIs and three T20 Internationals against South Africa, and all the matches will be available live and exclusive on Sony Sports Network. Sony Six/Sony Six HD will have the live telecast of the matches in English while Hindi commentary will be available on Sony Ten 3/Sony Ten 3 HD. The free India vs South Africa 2018 live streaming will be available on SonyLIV. For live cricket score, you can follow our website – thesportsmirror.com.

TV Channels: Sony Six, Sony Six HD, Ten 3 HD and Ten 3 (Indian and its Sub-continent Viewers)

Ind vs SA Live Streaming: SonyLiv (Website and App)

India vs South Africa 2018 TV Channels List

Squads for India tour of South Africa, 2017-18

India

India Test Squad: Virat Kohli(c), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Parthiv Patel and Jasprit Bumrah.

India ODI Squad: Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur.

South Africa

Squad not announced for South Africa.

Tags: India, Live Cricket Score, Live Streaming, Preview, Schedule, SonyLiv, South Africa