India vs South Africa 2019: 3rd Test - India's Predicted Playing XI

After dominant wins in the first two Tests, India will hope to keep their winning streak intact when they face South Africa in the third and the final Test. The JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi will host the final game of the series starting from October 19 (Saturday).

Virat Kohli & Co, who are currently at the top of the ICC World Test Championship will hope to consolidate their top spot with another win. As a result, the host will not take this game any lightly and go out with the best possible XI.

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With the conditions offering more spin, India are likely to go back to their two-seamers strategy bringing in an extra batsman in the playing XI.

Here is the predicted playing XI of India for the third and final Test match against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi:

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MAYANK AGARWAL

Since making his Test debut in Australia, Mayank Agarwal has looked at the top with consistent returns. He has shown the maturity and technique required to be successful in the opening slot in red-ball cricket.

Agarwal, who has struck a double century and a hundred in the series so far will hope to finish the series with another big knock.

ROHIT SHARMA

Rohit Sharma has taken the cricketing world by storm with his stellar display in his first Test as an opener. Although Rohit failed to replicate his efforts in the second game, the management will be keen to give him a long run to settle and end India’s top-order woes.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA

After a forgettable tour of West Indies, Cheteshwar Pujara has found his form as India began thier long home season. Although the big scores are yet to come, but Pujara has looked settled and confident in the recent outings.

The Saurashtra batsman will hope to play a big knock and fine-tune his preparations for the Bangladesh series.

VIRAT KOHLI

After a few mild outings with the bat, Virat Kohli returned with a bang scoring an unbeaten double century to pave way for India’s series win. With that, he also reduced the gap with Steve Smith in the ICC Rankings.

Kohli will once again hope to lead the side from the front and reclaim his top spot with the bat.

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AJINKYA RAHANE

There has been a lot of speculations over Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the Test side. But the experienced batter silenced all his critics with consistent outings in the last few matches.

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Rahane will hope to keep doing his job and provide stability in India’s middle-order as the host looks to inflict another whitewash and keep their winning run going in the ICC World Test Championship.

HANUMA VIHARI

After a succesful outing against the Caribbean outfit, Hanuma Vihari had a silent outing in his first Test at home. Subsequently, the management decided to drop him to accommodate an extra pacer in the playing XI.

With India going back to two-seamers strategy, Vihari is likely to slot back in the playing XI and will be desperate to put runs behind his name.

WRIDDHIMAN SAHA

Wriddhiman Saha has been brilliant behind the stumps in both the Test matches against South Africa. While he has had very limited opportunities with the bat, Saha has proved why he is arguably the best keeper in the world.

The Bengal cricketer will hope to produce another lightning effort behind the stump to keep Rishabh Pant at bay in the series to follow.

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

Ravichandran Ashwin has had a terrific return to the Test side shouldering the role of the best spinner in the side. He has produced wickets whenever needed in the last two encounters and India will hope Ashwin to keep up his excellent work in the matches to follow.

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RAVINDRA JADEJA

Ravindra Jadeja has stepped up to the task whenever an opportunity has come his way. He is a utility cricketer who can contribute to all the departments and is a go-to man for Virat Kohli.

The all-rounder has had a great series so far and will hope to finish things off on a high when India go up against South Africa in Ranchi.

ISHANT SHARMA

The tall and lanky fast bowler from Delhi, Ishant Sharma is getting better with every game. He was spectacular against West Indies and replicated his effort against the Proteas as well.

Ishant will lead India’s fast bowling alongside Mohammed Shami and will hope to do the job they have been doing in the last few years.

MOHAMMED SHAMI

Mohammed Shami has time and again proved his abilities and becomes really handy in Indian wickets with the old ball. With his ability to reverse the cherry, Shami will be Virat Kohli’s go-to bowler when the ball loses its shine.

Shami will look to do what he is best at as India look to keep their winning run going.

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