SA vs Ind, 3rd Test: Virat Kohli’s men eye historic series win at Newlands

The equation of the ongoing Test series
between South Africa and India is hanging in the balance after both sides
registered a win each in the last two matches. Now, the third Test in Cape Town,
starting Tuesday, is going to decide the series.

Also Read: South Africa vs India, 3rd Test: How Team India fares at Newlands

India will be buoyant by their captain Virat Kohli’s return to the XI as the boys look to create history in Cape Town by winning their maiden Test series in South Africa. The hosts, South Africa, will definitely
fancy their chances after a fighting performance drew them level in the second
Test.

And playing his 99th Test on what will also
be his daughter’s first birthday, the batter in Kohli would like to make it a
special one for the ‘Captain’, who has been under tremendous pressure of late.

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

Kohli’s presence can unsettle Proteas 

Whether he is batting or is in the field,
Kohli’s presence can always be unsettling for the opposition, which is bound to
plan differently for him even if it means that he hasn’t got a hundred for two
years.

Hanuma Vihari might feel hard done after
two fighting knocks—especially the 40 not out in the second innings in
Johannesburg—but such is the nature of the beast that he would be the
sacrificial lamb till Team India regains its faith in Cheteshwar Pujara and
Ajinkya Rahane’s abilities.

Also Read: Dean Elgar reveals how he charged up Kagiso Rabada to win Johannesburg Test

However, it will also be about the
deliveries that he or some of the others would choose for particular kinds of
shots.

A case in point is Rishabh Pant, whose
walking down the track against express pace in recent months, has had a lot of
“intent” but not much of “content”.

Also Read: Suddenly look a lesser team: Internet reacts to India’s loss in 2nd Test vs South Africa

On a Newlands track, which will be juicy
with variable bounce, India will need to bat way better against Kagiso Rabada,
Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, all of who bring different skills
to the table.

India have never won a Test in Cape Town
and for a change in script, the three middle-order veterans need to do way more
than what they did at the Wanderers.

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

Pujara
and Rahane need to show consistency

Pujara and Rahane, with their respective
half-centuries, did get a lifeline but that will certainly not be enough to
save their careers unless they do something very big and significant.

If getting fifties was a positive sign, not
converting good starts into big hundreds definitely was disappointing.
Similarly, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal would also like to give the team a good
start against the fiery South African line-up.

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

Ishant
set for comeback

Ishant Sharma, like Pujara and Rahane, is
at the business end of his chequered international career and Mohammed Siraj’s
hamstring injury is sure to give him some breathing space after the indifferent
last six months during which he lost form, had niggles and didn’t good enough
to be in the mix for long.

Yet, the nature of South African tracks and
his over 6 feet frame, with ability to bowl maiden after maiden, makes him a
better choice than Umesh Yadav, who is a similar bullish workhorse.

But it will be Jasprit Bumrah, who would
like to improve his strike-rate which has gone down since he has come back from
his back injury.

Also Read: Pujara comes out of shell when he is under pressure: Ex-Pak captain

Dean Elgar, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba
Bavuma were not perturbed by his mindless short-pitched bowling and the Indian
slinger would like to do what he does best, bowl fast and full with deliveries
deviating on both sides of the track. That would go a long way in ensuring that
they have a great party on Table Top after January 15.

Squads

India: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul
(vc), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk),
Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed
Siraj, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Jayant Yadav, Priyank Panchal,
Umesh Yadav, Hanuma Vihari, Ishant Sharma.

South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba
Bavuma (vice-captain), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George
Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan
Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton
Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.