The regular skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Ishant Sharma are reported to be included for the final and decider Test Match against South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. With the series level pegging, Team India is shuffling up the deck with the aim of writing history in the Rainbow Nation. The home side has gained momentum following their epic chase of 240 runs at the Wanderers. Now, India could be getting the boost from Virat Kohli as well as Ishant Sharma.
Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma could be returning
India suffered a major blow when Virat Kohli was injured ahead of the second Test with Hanuma Vihari replacing him. It was revealed that he had suffered an upper back spasm. The Indian fans will get to see Kohli back in action as he seems to have recovered from the injury. He batted in the nets as well two days ahead of the deciding Test.
The Times of India reported that Virat Kohli is set to replace Vihari despite the latter’s outstanding 40* in the second innings which helped the visitors stretch the lead to 239 runs. The likes of Vihari and Shreyas Iyer ‘will have to wait for their chances’ as said by the head coach Rahul Dravid.
On the other hand Mohammed Siraj clutched his hamstring during the first innings, in a way, played a decisive role in the end with the bowler not 100% for the rest of the Test. It seems that pacer Ishant Sharma might replace Siraj given the former’s ability to control the run-flow with his tight lines.
Umesh Yadav is the only other pacer in the squad for this series and even he has impressed whenever he has got an opportunity. Umesh last played in Mumbai against New Zealand in December 2021 but sent down only 10 wicketless overs given spinners’ domination. We will have to wait and see how Team India performs in the final Test Match which starts on January 11 at at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
