India have a minor selection headache as they prepare to launch their bid to win a historic Test series in South Africa. India will take on the hosts in the third and final Test in Cape Town from January 11 and the series is tied at 1-1.
India captain Virat Kohli speaking to the press on the eve of the third Test, Confirmed He’s “Perfectly Fit” After missing the second Test in Johannesburg due to a back spasm, Newlands took the field and led the team. However, the captain confirmed that Mohammad Siraj will miss the series final due to a hamstring injury.
While it looks like Virat Kohli will directly replace Hanuma Vihari for the specialist batsman’s spot, the skipper indicated that the team will continue to support Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara despite their declining form in the longest format of the game.
Vihari, who got his chance for the first time since the 2021 Sydney Test in Johannesburg, hit an unbeaten 40 in the second innings, batting with a tail, but is likely to make way for the returning captain.
Kohli highlighted that both Rahane and Pujara won And scored a crucial half-century in the second innings of the second Test and the team management values such a contribution.
“The experience with the way Jinx and Pujara batted in the second innings has been invaluable for us, especially in a series like this. These guys always lead in these conditions, we saw in Australia as well and now in the last Test. The transition. But they happen naturally and cannot be forced to negotiate,” Kohli said.
India, on the other hand, will have to choose between Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav for the third seamer role in Siraj’s absence. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and R Ashwin are set to retain their places.
Ishant was not at his best when he returned to the team during the first Test at home against New Zealand in Kanpur in December 2021, but the Indian team management will consider the pacer’s height as that extra bounce if the pitch suits his style. can remove. Why bowling?
Ishant also excelled at providing control to captain Kohli, something that India missed in the second Test under KL Rahul as South Africa posted 240 runs in the previous innings with 7 wickets to spare.
Ishant has not played for India since their draw vs New Zealand in the Kanpur Test, in which the fast bowler was rusting. However, after spending time with the team in South Africa over the past few weeks, Ishant will be eager to grab a chance and crack down on South Africa’s batsmen.
Ishant has played 7 Tests in South Africa and taken 20 wickets but his average with the ball in Rainbow Nation is below 40.
South Africa, on the other hand, are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination for the series finale.
South Africa vs India Probable Playing XI for 3rd Test
India: Virat Kohli (capt), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Pietersen, Rassi van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Veren (wk), Marco Jensen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Duane Olivier.