The inclusion of Avesh Khan in the squad for the second Test, starting in Cape Town on Wednesday, is an indication that the decision-makers in Indian cricket are a little concerned about their undercooked pace resources in the absence of the injured Mohammed Shami.

Shardul unimpressive

Prasidh Krishna, on debut, and Shardul Thakur didn’t impress particularly in the first Test which ended in a humbling defeat inside three days in Centurion on Thursday, failing to maintain the pressure imposed by the crack new-ball combine of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. They weren’t consistent enough, bowling too many boundary balls while allowing South Africa to amass 408, well above par on a tricky surface that encouraged prodigious lateral movement and steepling, spongy bounce.