India have a mini selection headache as they prepare to begin their bid to win a historic Test series in South Africa. India take on the hosts in the 3rd and final Test in Cape Town from January 11 with the series perfectly poised at 1-1.

India captain Virat Kohli, speaking to the press on the eve of the 3rd Test, confirmed that he is “absolutely fit” to take the field at the Newlands and lead the team after missing the 2nd Test in Johannesburg due to a back spasm. However, the skipper confirmed that Mohammed Siraj will miss the series finale due to a hamstring injury.

While it looks like Virat Kohli will replace Hanuma Vihari directly for the specialist batter’s spot, the skipper hinted that the team will continue to back Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in the longest format of the game despite their dip in form.

Vihari, who got an opportunity for the first time since the Sydney Test of 2021 in Johannesburg, made the most of the opportunity hitting an unbeaten 40 while batting with the tail in the 2nd innings but he is likely to make way for the returning skipper.

Kohli highlighted that both Rahane and Pujara stepped up and hit crucial fifties in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test and that the team management values such contributions.

“The way Jinks and Pujara batted in the second innings, that experience is priceless for us, especially in these kind of series. These guys always step up in these situations, we saw that in Australia as well and now in the last Test. Transitions happen but they happen naturally adn a conversation cannot be forced on that,” Kohli said.

On the other hand, India have to make a choice between Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav for the 3rd seamer role i the absence of Siraj. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and R Ashwin are set to retain their places.

Ishant was not at his best when he returned to the side during the first Test at home against New Zealand in Kanpur in December 2021 but that Indian team management will consider the pacer’s height as he can extract extra bounce if the pitch is conducive to his style of bowling.

Ishant also has excelled in providing control to captain Kohli, something that India missed under KL Rahul’s leadership in the 2nd Test as South Africa gunned down 240 runs with 7 wickets to spare in the last innings.

Ishant has not played for India since their draw vs New Zealand in the Kanpur Test wherein the pacer looked rusty. However, having spent time with the team over the last few weeks in South Africa, Ishant will be eager to get an opportunity and have a crack at the South Africa batters.

Ishant has played 7 Tests in South Africa and picked up 20 wickets but his average is a below-par 40 with the ball in the Rainbow Nation.

On the other hand, South Africa are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination for the series finale.

South Africa vs India, Predicted Playing XIs for the 3rd Test

India: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.

South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier.