What

The second Test of the three-match series between India and South Africa, the top two Test teams of the world

When

December 26-30, 2010. The game begins at 1:30 pm, IST.

Where

Kingsmead, Durban. The wicket promises to have a little in it for both the batsmen and the bowlers, but should rain make an appearance, as it did amply in Centurion, the bowlers will have the advantage.

The Teams

The Indians are buoyed by the return of Zaheer Khan. But even the bowling spearhead’s comeback can do only so much - the side will have to come out with a competent batting performance in the face of some high quality fast bowling by Dale Steyn and co. The major focus is on Suresh Raina whose last five Test matches have yielded an aggregate of 54 runs. Even the bowlers around Zaheer – particularly Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth - will have to put up vastly improved performances if India is to match up to the hosts in the next two Tests.

The only time South Africa were put under pressure in the Centurion Test was when India were in attack-mode in the second innings – first during the Sehwag-Gambhir partnership (137 runs) and then during the Tendulkar–Dhoni partnership (172 runs). Besides those brief periods, the hosts looked in complete control of proceedings. Despite South Africa’s inspired performance in the first Test, expect either Wayne Parnell or Ryan McLaren to come in for Lonwabo Tsotsobe whose bowling figures of 33-5-148-1 failed to create much of an impact at Centurion.

The Weather

Durban has experienced quite a bit of rain in the last 7-10 days. But the sun did make an appearance on Wednesday to give some hope to the players, fans and the ground staff. However, with the forecast over the next few days not looking too good, with overcast conditions promising to be a recurrent feature right through the match, this game could well come down to which side can make best use of the moisture in the wicket.

Venue - Quick Stats

First Test: South Africa v England - Jan 18-22, 1923

South Africa: Played 37, Won 13, Lost 11, Drawn 13

India: Played 3, Won 0, Lost 2, Drawn 1

Highest total in a single innings: South Africa 658/9 declared (1st innings) v West Indies – December 26, 2003

Lowest total in a single innings: India 66 (2nd innings) v South Africa – December 26, 1996

Best individual score in an innings: Gary Kirsten 275 (South Africa) v England – December 26, 1999

Best bowling figures in an innings: Hugh Tayfield 37.7-14-69-8 (South Africa) v England – January 25, 1957

Probable Playing XIs

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina/Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and S Sreesanth.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (c), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Ryan McLaren/Wayne Parnell, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.