Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has picked his India XI for the first Test against South Africa. The Boxing Day test match between the teams will be played at Supersport Park in Centurion from December 26.

Gautam Gambhir backed Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the team’s innings in the Centurion Test. Both have been in good form in Test cricket of late and will be crucial for the team in both games.

Rohit Sharma has been exceptional as a Test opener and it will be a big test for him in South African conditions. Jaiswal, on the other hand, will play his first Test in such conditions. Opening the batting has certainly been a challenge and the duo will be up for it.

At number 3, Gautam Gambhir chose Shubman Gill. The young batsman replaced Cheteshwar Pujara in the team’s position and will be eager to make a statement. He didn’t have a great performance in the West Indies in the same position and hence the series will be extremely crucial for him.

Virat Kohli will bat at number 4 in the Test series and Gautam Gambhir also had no doubts about it. The right-hander has a great record in South Africa and has an average of over 50. He needs to have a great series if India wants to win the series.

At numbers 5 and 6, Gautam Gambhir backed Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul to play. The batsmen will be key for the team in the middle order and a lot would depend on them. The duo will be crucial for the team.

Gautam Gambhir opted for a spinner combination and didn’t know who to play between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. He backed Shardul to be the team’s all-rounder. Thakur in overseas conditions has been exceptional with both bat and ball.

Gautam Gambhir believes India will give the debut title to Prasidh Krishna and he will be the team’s pacer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. No doubt, the fast bowlers will be crucial for the team in those South African conditions.

Here is Gautam Gambhir playing 11 for Indian team against South Africa

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja/ R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

IND vs SA: Simon Doull picks his Indian XI for Boxing Day Test; names a different team than Gautam Gambhir

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull also named his Indian XI for the first Test against South Africa. His Top 6 was the same as Gautam Gambhir’s. But he feels India will play both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

He also backed Shardul Thakur to be the team’s third pacer, skipping Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna. The other two pacers in his team are Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Here is Simon Doull playing 11 for the Indian team against South Africa

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.