Just ahead of the start of first Test match of the three-match series between India and South Africa, Cape Town staff made a blunder after they ‘mistakenly’ hoisted the Indian flag upside down at Newlands Stadium.
According to Hindustan Times reports, the Indian national flag was hoisted near the press box of the stadium alongside the flags of South Africa and that of Cricket South Africa.
Soon, the staff members realised their mistake and corrected it. The incidence happened during Team India’s practice session ahead of the first Test on January 4.
Meanwhile, after registering nine consecutive Test series victories since 2015, India will be hoping to keep the momentum going against formidable South Africa.
1 day to go. Are you ready? #FreedomSeries #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/3WKss7R0c5
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2018
Team India have never won a Test series since 1992 when they visited South Africa for the first time under Mohammad Azharuddin leadership.
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Team India have so far won two Test matches in South Africa, one under Rahul Dravid and the other one under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
This Test series will test India’s capabilities in overseas conditions. There will be pace, bounce and movement in South African condition. Discipline will be the key for the Indian batsmen as they will play a major role to help their side maintain its top Test status.
When @ImRo45 hit the nets here in Newlands #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/OS6FNceaqo
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2018
Second-ranked Test side South Africa, on the other hand, will look to flourish on their home conditions under the likes of batsmen Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis.
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The well set-up bowling department will be led by pacer Kagiso Rabada — who ranks second in the Test bowlers list alongside fit again Dale Steyn, right-armer Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander who will target to dismiss the visitors right from the start of the match.
It really doesn’t get more perfect _ What a setting_#Newlands #FreedomSeries #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/fXeofWrOeG
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 4, 2018
The first Test match will start at 2 PM IST.
Squads:
India: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Parthiv Patel, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Lokesh Rahul.
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis(captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Chris Morris, Vernon Philander, Theunis de Bruyn.
