Ongama Gcwabe previews the 3rd and Final Test between India and South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.

Setting the Scene:

India have already won the series, but we all know Virat Kohli and his men will be looking to make it a perfect series by handing South Africa a second Test-Series whitewash in a row.

The pitch in India always has a fair share of the limelight despite some stunning individual performances from the players. 

The Pitch in Ranchi is no different, it will play a key role in team selections.

Hosting only its second Test match, the first being the 2017 match against Australia which ended in a draw despite a double century from Cheteshwar Pujara, the Pitch is known to be a batting paradise. Australia managed 451 runs riding on Steve Smith’s 178 but India replied with 603. 

The Australian batsmen didn’t struggle in the second innings either.

But the strip for this 3rd Test promises a bit more for the spinners, a member of the ground staff commented that the pitch will be a “typical Indian wicket” according to a report in Indian Express.

Team Selection :

There’s a few changes that the Proteas will be tempted to make in this Test match. The injury to Keshav Maharaj means George Linde will most probably make his Test debut replacing Keshav.

Aiden Markram’s injury opens up a place at the top of the order, but who will take his place? Will it be Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn or Quinton de Kock?

Then there’s the big debate of whether Zubayr Hamza will be given a go, if so, where will he bat and who does he come in for in the side?

With the pitch labelled to be a spinner’s paradise, does Dane Piedt come in to have another go at India? 

Does he come in for Senuran Muthusamy who also struggled in the second Test for both runs and wickets?

Another selection change might be that of Lungi Ngidi, does he come into the side in the place of Anrich Nortje? 

Or does he come in for Kagiso Rabada, just to give KG rest because he has been bowling a lot already.

READ: WE NEED TO MANAGE RABADA PROPERLY

Writer’s Proteas XI:

1. Dean Elgar
2. Temba Bavuma
3. Zubayr Hamza
4. Faf du Plessis
5. Theunis de Bruyn
6. Quinton de Kock
7. Vernon Philander
8. Dane Piedt
9. George Linde
10. Kagiso Rabada
11. Lungi Ngidi

India Predicted XI:

1. Maryank Agarwal
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
4. Virat Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Wriddhiman Saha
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Ishant Sharma
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Kuldeep Yadav

The 3rd Test starts on Saturday at 6:00 am at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranch.