Virat Kohli was spotted training in the net ahead of the third and final Test against South Africa and the return of the Test captain could see Hanuma Vihari eliminated from the team. Kohli, 33, was in the second match due to upper back spasms as KL Rahul’s Indian side suffered a seven-wicket defeat in Johannesburg.
Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the starting XI had a question mark before the veteran hitter hit 58 in the Rangers’ second inning. Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid are sticking with Rahane despite his inconsistency with the Willows, while the former Test vice-captain may keep his place in the mix.
Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim also weighed in on India’s selection woes following Kohli’s return to the field. To win their first series on South African soil, India started the Test rubber on a positive note, winning by 113 points in the Centurion opener, before the hosts retaliated and clinched the second game with 1-1 equalizer.
“The biggest question that will be raised is the team composition. Virat will have to decide with Rahul Dravid what the XI should be. The big question is, will you leave out Ajinkya because Virat Kohli will be back in the XI Rahane or Hanuma Vihari,” Karim told India News.
India can also include Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav in the five-man bowler attack if Mohammed Siraj is not in the series tiebreaker. Hyderabad pacemaker suffers hamstring injury in second test.
“Siraji is injured now, so who are you going to replace him with. I think if you look at experience, you should definitely play Ishant Sharma. But things will depend on Umesh and Ishant in the Nets Who’s bowling is better,” Karim further said.
Former Indian all-rounder Reetinder Sodhi also touched on the selection dilemma and said Rahane will get a “lifeline” if he retains his place in Playing XI. “Rahane has also got the running points and has seen the form. So it’s going to be a huge decision and if Rahane comes on, it could be his lifeline because somewhere or other, he’s been struggling. He’ll be able to if He won the tiebreaker for India and cemented his position again,” he said.
The Indian team arrived in Cape Town on Saturday ahead of the third Test, scheduled for January 11-15. Dravid also hinted at Kohli’s return to the rubber for the final match after India lost seven wickets in the second Test.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
