5 PLAYERS TO WATCH AT NEWLANDS

1. AB DE VILLIERS South Africa’s premier batsman made his return to white clothing cricket last week. He actually captained, scored a half-century and also kept wicket. There are few players who can take on such a load after being out of the game for two years. Having been absolved from two of those duties, De Villiers can now focus on just scoring runs again. It is going to be needed in this massive series.

2. VIRAT KOHLI There will be an extra 1000 people at the ground this morning just to see the Indian captain in the flesh, such is Kohli’s global appeal. He is a master batsman with over 2000 runs across all formats last year. He is the cog around which the Indian team rotates.

3. VERNON PHILANDER Faf du Plessis said “stats don’t lie” when he referred to Kohli in his pre-match press conference. He could easily have said the same about his star opening bowler. There is none better equipped to exploit the Newlands conditions and early inroads from Philander will go a long way to the Proteas taking the early advantage.

4. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN The off-spinner is virtually unplayable on his home dustbowls. However, Ashwin has been dropped on tours of South Africa and Australia before which has led to questions surrounding his form away from home. He is though vital part of India’s armoury and the tourists will be hoping he finds some sort of form on foreign pitches.

5. QUINTON DE KOCK South Africa’s wicket-keeper endured a quiet RamSlam T20 Challenge and looked out of sorts in the pink-ball Test in Port Elizabeth last week before straining his hamstring. He has recovered, though, to face a team he enjoys feasting upon and the Proteas will look to De Kock for some inspiration lower down the batting order.