With the target of their maiden Test series in the Rainbow Nation, India will take on South Africa in the third Test which begins in Cape Town on Tuesday. Ahead of the much-awaited game, the Indian think tank may be faced with a selection conundrum as Virat Kohli prepares to make a comeback in the playing XI.
In the Johannesburg Test, Virat Kohli was ruled out due to a cramp in his upper back. In his absence, opener KL Rahul stepped in as the captain, but the visitors could have done well in the game. India lost the game by seven wickets; His first defeat at The Wanderers.
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Head coach Rahul Dravid has hinted at Kohli’s return and the recent pictures of Kohli in the training session are enough to tell about his fitness. In such a situation, all-rounder Hanuma Vihari, who came as cover for Kohli in the second Test, could lose his place.
The playing XI will be out on the toss on Tuesday but experts have started discussing the possible team combination. Former selector and cricketer Saba Karim has also spoken about the dilemma faced by the audience on Kohli’s return.
He said, ‘The biggest question which will be there will be team composition. Virat will have to decide with Rahul Dravid what the XI should be. The big question is that because Virat Kohli is coming back in the XI, will you drop Ajinkya Rahane or Hanuma Vihari,” Karim told India News.
Read also | ‘It could be a lifeline for him’: Former all-rounder making way for Kohli in Cape Town Test
The former cricketer also said that India could replace Mohammad Siraj with veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, who injured his hamstring during the second Test.
“Siraj is injured right now, so who will you play in his place? I think if you look at Anubhav, you must play Ishant Sharma. But things will be decided based on who is bowling better in the nets between Umesh and Ishant,” Karim added.
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