South Africa vs India, third Test Predicted Playing XI; India ponder over Ishant Sharma alternative for Mohammed Siraj

India have a mini choice headache as they put together to start their bid to win a historic Test sequence in South Africa. India tackle the hosts within the third and last Test in Cape Town from January 11 with the sequence completely poised at 1-1.

India captain Virat Kohli, talking to the press on the eve of the third Test, confirmed that he’s “absolutely fit” to take the sector on the Newlands and lead the staff after lacking the 2nd Test in Johannesburg because of a again spasm. However, the skipper confirmed that Mohammed Siraj will miss the sequence finale because of a hamstring damage.While it seems like Virat Kohli will substitute Hanuma Vihari straight for the specialist batter’s spot, the skipper hinted that the staff will proceed to again Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara within the longest format of the sport regardless of their dip in type.Vihari, who received a possibility for the primary time for the reason that Sydney Test of 2021 in Johannesburg, made the a lot of the alternative hitting an unbeaten 40 whereas batting with the tail within the 2nd innings however he’s prone to make approach for the returning skipper.Kohli highlighted that each Rahane and Pujara stepped up and hit essential fifties within the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test and that the staff administration values such contributions.”The way Jinks and Pujara batted in the second innings, that experience is priceless for us, especially in these kind of series. These guys always step up in these situations, we saw that in Australia as well and now in the last Test. Transitions happen but they happen naturally adn a conversation cannot be forced on that,” Kohli stated.On the opposite hand, India have to select between Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav for the third seamer function i the absence of Siraj. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and R Ashwin are set to retain their locations.Ishant was not at his finest when he returned to the aspect through the first Test at residence towards New Zealand in Kanpur in December 2021 however that Indian staff administration will take into account the pacer’s top as he can extract additional bounce if the pitch is conducive to his model of bowling.Ishant additionally has excelled in offering management to captain Kohli, one thing that India missed underneath KL Rahul’s management within the 2nd Test as South Africa gunned down 240 runs with 7 wickets to spare within the final innings.Ishant has not performed for India since their draw vs New Zealand within the Kanpur Test whereby the pacer seemed rusty. However, having hung out with the staff over the previous couple of weeks in South Africa, Ishant will likely be desperate to get a possibility and have a crack on the South Africa batters.Ishant has performed 7 Tests in South Africa and picked up 20 wickets however his common is a below-par 40 with the ball within the Rainbow Nation.On the opposite hand, South Africa are unlikely to tinker with their profitable mixture for the sequence finale.South Africa vs India, Predicted Playing XIs for the third TestIndia: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier.