India might get a significant boost ahead of the final test in the final Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, with the skipper of the Test team Virat Kohli likely to be back.
The Indian cricket team may likely change a few things in its last fielding XI to play the 3rd
Test in South Africa, scheduled to start on January 11 at Cape Town.
The hosts fell in the second test after South African skipper Dean Elgar displayed a
tremendous fight to assist the team in chasing down the 240-run goal.
With Virat Kohli expected to return in the crucial match, several replacements could be in
the pipeline for India.
The pacer Ishant Sharma could very well be the one to replace in the absence of
Mohammed Siraj.
Regarding the batsmanship aspect, it’ll be interesting to know if the management decides
to go with Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion instead of an older batter in the middle order.
Here’s a glimpse of the possibility of the final XI for Team
India for the 3rd Test:
Mayank AgarwalOpener Mayank is doing well during this tour and is predicted to be top
form in the final match. The opener has scored 113 wickets thus far, with 60 runs being his
best score.
KL Rahul: Rahul, who was captain of India during the 2nd Test, has seen an upswing on
this tour. He’s an average of 51.00 over four innings and is among the top scorers for India
with 200 runs.
Cheteshwar Pujara, The struggling Pujara, did not give up and played when all was lost
in favor of Team India in the second Test. His half-century, however, couldn’t help India
since the visitors fell in their second match.
Virat Kohli: Kohli may be considered in Hanuma Vihari and be the side captain following
his recovery from the back spasm that forced him to miss during the Johannesburg Test.
Ajinkya Rahane: Rahane’s half-century during the second match may have saved his spot
as the last team, as Rahane climbed his way to second place on the top players in the
current series.
Shardul Thakur: Thakur amazed all when he scored a seven-wicket haul in the opening
test of his second innings. He was also instrumental in establishing a challenging goal for
hosts to pursue.
Rishabh Pant: Wicketkeeper-batter Pant may be offered a second opportunity to salvage
his career despite taking an unintentional shot that even the Head coach Rahul Dravid
acknowledged at the press conference following the match.
Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin is not at par with the ball during this series taking just
three wickets in the two games played on pitches suited to speed. Ashwin scored 80 crucial
runs in just four innings as a batsman.
Ishant SharmaExperienced speedster Ishant could get a glimpse after India could not
control the ball during South Africa’s second innings of the first Test. Siraj was a player who
took an injury in Johannesburg to make a move.
Mohammed Shami: Shami has been one of India’s primary weapons on the bouncy South
African tracks and is currently at the top of the wicket-takers of the list by 11 wickets.
Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah’s flamboyant opening spells have been an absolute sight to
behold while he’s continuing to take charge of the pace-bowling attack of the Indians.
