The series finale of the three-Test match competition between India and South Africa is set to take place at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town starting tomorrow. The series is now tied by a 1-1 margin, with the Proteas pulling off a 7 wicket victory in the latest match.
First Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion saw us witness a tense battle between bat and ball with the pacers dominating play. More of the same followed in the following test, with the South African pacers troubling the Indian batsman throughout the match.
Breaking their losing streak against India, the South Africans will be in high spirits and will be confident to clinch the series in the finale. With skipper Kohli set to return, there are shouts of changes to be rung, heard from the camps of Team India.
We are here at the picturesque Cape Town ⛰️👌🏻#TeamIndia begin preparations for the 3rd Test #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/U8wm0e0zae
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2022
Can Dean Elgar and Co make their home advantage count and clinch the series? Or will Team India have enough to finally mark a historic series win in South Africa?
Match Toss Time: 10:00 Local (13:30 IST)
Match Start Time: 10:30 Local (14:00 IST)
Match Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Head to Head
Matches Played: 41, SA: 16, IND:15, Draw: 10
Weather Conditions and pitch
Team News
Despite Keshav Maharaj being an ineffective presence in the previous two Tests, the hosts are set to remain with their bowling lineup of Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, with Jansen batting at number 7 due to his ability with the bat too. Due to their dominant performance in the Test series.
Some changes are to be expected in the Indian lineup, with skipper Virat Kohli set to return after regaining fitness. Mohammed Siraj has been ruled out for the coming test with a hamstring Injury, with Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav likely to replace him. With Hanuman Vihari and Shreyas Iyer waiting in the wings and taking into consideration the failings of the senior batsmen, it wouldn't be surprising to see a batting revamp.
Probable Playing XI
South Africa (SA) : Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
India (IND): KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma/Umesh Yadav
Must-Picks
South African pacers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada are the ones to watch out for from the Proteas side. With good bowling performances on the show, and the pitch assisting the pacers in the second. They will have a huge say in the proceedings. The proteas skipper Dean Elgar too will be looking to continue his rich form.
Indian opener KL Rahul and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin will look to recapture their form of the first match, with much of the team proceedings depending on their performance.
SA v IND fantasy team
Captain and Vice-Captain picks
Prediction
With South Africa changing the narrative and clearly making their home advantage count, the Proteas clearly have the upper hand in the upcoming test. With numerous series failures in South Africa, India will be going against the record books for this one. And if there is one time to be sure that Team India fires, that is when they are under pressure.
Cricwizz predicts India to win the series finale.
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