IND vs SA: Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma Likely To Replace Injured Duo In Cape Town Test- Reports

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli is all set to make a return into the playing XI in Cape Town Test which begins from January 11. He missed the second Test in Johannesburg due to a back spasm. Along with him, Ishant Sharma is also likely to feature in the XI. The experienced duo will be replacing Hanuma Vihari and Mohammed Siraj both of whom picked up an injury in the second Test.

While Siraj injured his hamstring and did not look comfortable in the rest of the game, Vihari was hit while fielding at the silly point with the hosts getting close to a win.

Before picking up the injury, Vihari scored a valiant 40* in the second innings to help India reach 266. Rahul Dravid also spoke about the likes of Vihari and Shreyas Iyer waiting for their time as he confirmed Virat Kohli’s return. “Vihari and Iyer must wait for their time” he said. 

When Virat Kohli Comes Back Hanuma Vihari Will Be The One To Miss Out: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar also spoke about Vihari making way for Kohli in Cape Town. Meanwhile, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir backed The right-hander to keep his place while Ajinkya Rahane made way for the Indian skipper.

“Obviously, when Kohli comes back Vihari will be the one to miss out. And if Siraj doesn’t recover or the team management doesn’t have enough confidence in him, because in a five-day Test match and on a day he is expected to deliver, but if he isn’t being able to bowl for 15-20 overs owing to the hamstring then they will have him replace. Whether it will be Umesh Yadav or Ishant Sharma, but that is going to be the only concern as far as the Indian team is concerned,” Gavaskar said.

“It will be very unfortunate if he doesn’t play the next Test because if Rahane has scored a fifty, then Hanuma Vihari has also scored 40 not out. If Hanuma Vihari had batted at that number instead of Rahane, probably he would have also scored a fifty,” said Gambhir on his behalf. 

Koo App

If #siraj is not available for tomorrow’s game, #ishant should play. It will be very surprising if he doesn’t. Unfortunately #vihari will make way for #virat. #pant with his shot selection has forced himself from being a postpaid connect to a prepaid! #SAvIND #3rdtest

– Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) 10 Jan 2022

India are scheduled to just three overseas Tests over the next two years. This includes the pending fifth Test and two Test matches each in Bangladesh and West Indies. They will play six matches at home, two against Sri Laka in March and four against Australia in the winter.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Mohammed Siraj’s Injury Put India On The Backfoot In Johannesburg-Dinesh Karthik