South Africa vs India, 3rd Test: India’s predicted XI for Cape Town

India and South Africa are set to face each
other in the series decider in Cape Town from Tuesday. The three-Test series is
currently level at 1-1. India won the first Test in Centurion by 113 runs
while South Africa bounced back with a remarkable seven-wicket win in
Johannesburg, so the third and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town is going to be
a thriller. India will aim for their maiden Test series win in South Africa.

Also Read: Indian team arrives in Cape Town for 3rd Test vs South Africa | Watch

India’s regular captain Virat Kohli, who
missed the second Test due to an upper back spasm, is expected to return to the
XI as indicated by head coach Rahul after the Johannesburg Test. KL Rahul, who
led India in the second Test, will be free to focus on his batting. Rahul, the
centurion of the first Test, will be key for India to post a big total. Mayank
Agarwal, despite his poor string of performances, is expected to be backed and
play the third Test as an opener.

Also Read: 2nd Test: Where India lost the plot in Wanderers defeat vs South Africa

Change
in batting department likely

However, there is going to be some changes
in the middle-order with Kohli’s arrival in the team. Hanuma Vihari, who played
gritty 40 not out in India’s second innings of the second Test, is likely to
retain his place. Recently former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir said Vihari
deserves more chances and backing similar to Ajinkya Rahane.

Also Read: Hanuma Vihari deserves similar backing to Ajinkya Rahane: Gautam Gambhir

Kohli, who himself has been struggling to
get back to form, will look to better his performance in the final Test. Kohli
scored 35 and 18 in the first Test. He has not scored any hundred since
November 2019 when he played a 136-run innings against Bangladesh in Kolkata.
The Cape Town game will be Kohli’s 99th Test.

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In the Johannesburg Test, both Cheteshwar
Pujara and Rahane failed to justify their selection as they failed for three
and zero in the first innings. In the second innings, the duo tried hard to
convince the team management that they were valuable for the team, scoring a
fifty each while sharing a 111-run partnership. But as Vihari is probable for
the Cape Town Test, either Pujara or Rahane, who recently lost vice-captaincy
to Rohit Sharma, is likely to be dropped.

Also Read: 2nd Test: Elgar leads SA to breach India’s Wanderers fortress, level series

Umesh Yadav to replace Mohammed Siraj?

In the bowling department, Ravichandran
Ashwin, who took three wickets in the series so far, will continue to be
India’s prime spinner, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will pair up as
pacers. However, Mohammed Siraj, who was seen in some trouble in the second
Test, is expected to be rested. Fast bowler Umesh Yadav may play in his place
as the bouncy Newlands pitch will assist the pacers.

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India’s
possible XI for Cape Town Test: KL Rahul, Mayank
Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant,
Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh
Yadav