Despite all that, India promoted Ravindra Jadeja to number over Wriddhiman Saha. While Saha brings none of the attractive factors of batting that Jadeja does - powerful aerial shots, huge sixes and the sword-wielding half-century celebration - he has been technically sound and absorbed pressure well in the past.

The eight times that he has crossed fifty, three have been converted into centuries and all centuries have been vital in their own way. The first one, at Gros Islet in 2016, came when India were five down cheaply on the first day, after which Saha added 213 for the sixth wicket with Ravi Ashwin; the second helped India build a mountain of a score against Bangladesh in 2017 and the next ensured India crossed the line against Australia at Ranchi, a game where the visitors escaped defeat through staunch defence on the final day.

"He's played well for us whenever he's got a chance - with the bat also - and it was unfortunate that he was out for such a long period because of an injury. According to me, he's the best keeper in the world, so in these conditions, with what he's done in the past, he starts for us", Kohli had said while lavishing praise on Saha ahead of the first Test against South Africa at Visakhapatnam.

Yet when the situation was tailor made for Saha to start patiently and attack later - of which he is fully capable, as testified by some rapid domestic knocks - it was Jadeja who played exactly the role Saha should have: defending and giving the strike to Kohli at the start of his innings and keeping his shots for the ideal time. In the first innings at Visakhapatnam too, Jadeja went ahead of not only Saha but also Hanuma Vihari, though Saha did press the accelerator in a cameo of 21 from 16 balls as India pushed for 500.

The 34-year-old was picked to play South Africa with head coach Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour expressing disappointment at Rishabh Pant's shot selections, a major factor for his below par performance in recent times. "No one will change his style but match awareness becomes crucial, shot selection becomes crucial in particular situations", Shastri had said during India's tour of West Indies, where Pant played all limited-overs games and both Tests.

Rathour too mentioned about the presence of more awareness from Pant. "Of course he needs to sort out his game plans a little more. Bring a little bit of discipline to his game. All the young players need to realise that there is a fine line between fearless cricket and careless cricket. What the team management is asking of them is fearless cricket - having clear game plans and playing with intent and backing your strengths. At the same time, they cannot be careless. I am sure they are starting to understand that."

Saha had runs on his side with half-centuries for India A in West Indies in August and another 60 against South Africa A - a team featuring the likes of Vernon Philander, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy, all four part of the touring party for the senior side.

Yet, with Pant making way for Saha and Kohli particularly pointing to his past contributions in home conditions, he continues to be underrated as a batsman. It makes for an interesting thought if Pant - had he started despite poor form - would have walked out in place of Jadeja at Pune when India were firm and strong almost half-way into the second day of the Test.