SA vs IND: India's Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 3rd Test

India made a blistering start to the three-match Test series in South Africa with a 113-run win in the first Test. KL Rahul scored a century in the very first innings of the series, while Mohammed Shami picked a five-wicket haul.

Shardul Thakur bowled a sensational spell of 7 for 61 in the second Test. However, despite his heroics with the ball, India lost the Test by 7 wickets. Ahead of the third Test match of the series, here’s a look at our predicted playing XI of the Indian Cricket Team.

SA vs IND: India’s Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa, India vs South Africa 2021-22, 3rd Test

Opener: KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal

KL Rahul has been in blistering form. He began the tour with a match-winning century. In the last Test of the series, KL Rahul scored a half-century off 133 deliveries. India would be hoping that he comes good in the series-deciding Test in Cape Town. Mayank Agarwal, on the other hand, has been in decent form as well. He scored a vital 60-run knock in the first innings of the first Test match. However, since then he hasn’t been able to convert the start into big scores.

Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant

Nevertheless, the team will hope that Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara make significant contributions with the bat. Rishabh Pant’s shot selection in the last Test has been one of the talking points ahead of the third Test. In 2 Tests, he has only scored 59 runs at an average of 14.75. However, despite that, he is still likely to be backed for the third Test, keeping in mind the impact he has had in crunch games over the years.

All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur 

Ravichandran Ashwin has had a forgettable series so far in South Africa. It is pertinent to note that spinners get a lot more assistance in Cape Town than on any other surface in South Africa. He is likely to place a big role with the ball in the third Test.

Besides, India would be wanting him to contribute with the bat as well. Shardul Thakur registered his best bowling figures of 7 for 61 runs in the last Test. He finished the match with 8 wickets to his name. Shardul, however, stated that his best is yet to come. India would be hoping that his best comes in the next Test match.

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma

Mohammed Shami has been the standout bowler for India in the ongoing Test series. In 2 Tests, he has managed to pick 11 wickets at an average of 19.45. Jasprit Bumrah, however, hasn’t had as much of an impact as he would have wanted to.

Bumrah would be eager to dish out his best performance in the series decider. Mohammed Siraj picked up a hamstring injury in the second Test and is unlikely to play the third Test. Ishant Sharma, the veteran pacer is likely to get the nod ahead of Umesh Yadav to replace Siraj.