TEAM PREDICTION: Can Proteas afford to keep picking Maharaj?

After the Proteas’ impressive victory over India in the second Test, which has drawn the series level at 1-1, it will be interesting to see if any changes are made to the team.

Immediately after that win at the Wanderers, Proteas coach Mark Boucher said they were desperate to get down to Cape Town to assess the conditions.

If it does turn out to be a track suited to pace bowlers, it should finally bring an end to the continued selection of Keshav Maharaj, who has had a very limited role to play with the ball in the first two Tests.

In the opening encounter, the veteran spinner bowled 18 overs in the first innings without taking a wicket, while he went unused in India’s second innings.

The second Test then saw Maharaj bowl just a solitary over in each innings, with his most valuable contribution in fact coming with the bat when he scored a quickfire 21 off 29 balls.

Should it be a seamer friendly wicket at Newlands, the time has surely come for the Proteas to strengthen their batting lineup with the return of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, while allowing Aiden Markram to provide a part-time spin option.

READ | HOW PROTEAS-INDIA SERIES WAS SAVED

THE TEAM WE THINK THE PROTEAS SHOULD FIELD:

1 Dean Elgar

2 Aiden Markram

3 Keegan Petersen

4 Rassie van der Dussen

5 Temba Bavuma

6 Kyle Verreynne (wk)

7 Wiaan Mulder

8 Marco Jansen

9 Kagiso Rabada

10 Lungi Ngidi

11 Duanne Olivier

WATCH: ALL THE CONTROVERSY, CLASHES IN ILL-TEMPERED PROTEAS-INDIA TEST

Whatever the case may be, the Proteas should head into the third clash against India – starting on Tuesday – with plenty of confidence.

At the start of the second Test at the Wanderers, it looked as if the Proteas were wilting in the wake of a meek defeat in the opening match between the two teams at SuperSport Park.

That first match had effectively been decided in the opening session when the Proteas produced an erratic bowling performance, and it looked as if a repeat could be in store after India cruised to 36 without loss at the start of the second Test.

However, Lungi Ngidi then came into the attack to produce a beautiful spell of bowling that built pressure on the India team, and ultimately the visitors then crumbled to a first innings total of just 202.

It was the start of good things to come.

What we saw in the remainder of the second Test was a mature knock from Keegan Petersen as he scored his maiden half century, while Marco Jansen proved he is a player with immense potential, and who has enough talent to evolve into a competent bowling all-rounder.

And despite the bombshell news of Quinton de Kock’s retirement, Kyle Verreynne acquitted himself superbly behind the stumps, and showed some fighting spirit with the bat.

The second Test also saw the much-needed return to form of Kagiso Rabada after some stern words behind-the-scenes seemed to bring out the best in him, while Rassie van der Dussen rose to the occasion as he compiled a confident 40 runs in the second innings.

READ | ELGAR’S ‘TOUGH-LOVE’ CHAT WITH RABADA: HE WAS UNDER-SELLING HIS VALUE

Led by Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma, who batted with guts and gumption in each innings, the Proteas largely looked like a different outfit compared to the listless side that succumbed to defeat in the opening encounter.

More than anything, we saw the Proteas emphatically rediscover some real identity in terms of who they are as a unit. There was control and aggression from the bowlers, much-improved application from the batsmen, and some superb fielding highlighted by brilliant catches from Rabada and Van der Dussen.

This was a Proteas side that was unwilling to take a backward step, and in chasing down their highest-ever total at the Wanderers – and with seven wickets in hand – they proved to have the beating of the No 1-ranked Test side.

Keep in mind that South Africa comparatively rank in sixth place, and so this victory over the tourists – albeit without the services of Virat Kohli – should not be taken lightly.

What the Proteas will now be searching for is real consistency as there is no doubt that a Test series win over such a highly-regarded Indian team would represent a massive achievement for this group.

We’ve seen that the Proteas are not lacking fighting spirit, and the second Test now presents an opportunity to make a real statement about their full capabilities as a team on the rise.

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