India vs SA: India opt to bat 1st; Shardul, Rahane gets nod

Beleaguered skipper Virat Kohli, who has been facing ugly encounters off-field and a loss of ODI terrain, started his South Africa campaign as Test captain by winning the toss for the first match. Another issue, though, is that at Centurion, the toss does not play the trump card.

Captain @imVkohli wins the toss and #TeamIndia will bat first.

A look at our Playing XI for the 1st Test.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/DDACnaXiK8

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021

Electing to bat is a good decision taken by Team India, considering rain is all ready to pour down on the majestic stadium, sitting pretty with its famed green embankments for family viewing and also its quick pitch aiding the batters.

Shardul Thakur is back in the starting eleven after being rested for the home series against New Zealand last month. He replaces Ravindra Jadeja as an all-rounder.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the lone spinner in the Indian XI, along with the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Mohd Siraj.

Former Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane also makes his return after missing the Mumbai Test against New Zealand.

🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

🇿🇦💚 It's a day to cherish for Marco Jansen as he makes his Test debut

📺 Catch it live on SuperSport Grandstand and SABC 3
📝 Ball by Ball https://t.co/c1ztvrT95P#SAvIND #FreedomTestSeries #BetwayTestSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/kcZENS6A1u

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 26, 2021

For South Africa, young tall pacer Marco Jansen makes his Test debut.