It is time for Test No. 2 of the Paytm Freedom Trophy. Even as India wrapped up the first Test, in Mohali, inside three days, they were three days of competitive, fighting cricket. And I am expecting the same in Bengaluru.

Coming back from the disappointment of the Mohali Test, this Test is going to be a massive challenge for South Africa. They have to find a way to fight back in this Test match because if they lose this one, the rest of the series is going to be very difficult. They have lots to play for.

The challenge has got tougher for the Proteas as they have lost their two key fast bowlers in Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. It will have a massive impact. It hasn’t happened to South Africa much that they have been without both Steyn and Philander. They are such big influence as far as the bowling attack is concerned.

Steyn and Philander’s absence will be felt even more in such conditions. The weather is overcast and there is a bit of moisture in the wicket. The ball will seam and swing around. Those two are South Africa’s best bowlers in such conditions. Also, the confidence factor – they are both proven match-winners.

But there is nothing they can do about it now. They will have to move on and the others will have to step up on the plate. Morne Morkel can certainly do that; he is a world-class bowler, and having him back will help South Africa. Kyle Abbott is a good bowler and Kagiso Rabada is improving day by day. So, while the visitors will miss Steyn and Philander, they do have some good replacements.

For India, though, it is the opposite. They will be bolstered by the return of their ace pace bowler in Ishant Sharma. He is in very good form. The other pacers bowled pretty well in the last Test as well. But having back their most experienced pace bowler will be a huge boost for India. For South Africa, there is one positive. They have JP Duminy back. He hasn’t played for a while but he brings in a balance to the side. He adds a dimension with the bat at No. 6 and his spin bowling will come in useful as well.

This Test match is also significant in another way. It is AB de Villiers’s 100th! When it comes to the greatest ever cricketers South Africa has produced, AB is right up there. From the batting point of view you will not get any better than AB de Villiers. We have used all the superlatives to describe him over the last few years. He is such a wonderful player and he deserves his 100th Test. I hope he has a good match. Nothing he does in this game will surprise me. In fact, I am expecting him to put in a big performance.