Cape Town: India Test captain Virat Kohli hit the nets Sunday and if his cover and off drives were any indication, he could return for the decisive third match against South Africa after missing the second game due to a back spasm. The Indian team began training for the third and final Test here hoping to recover from the defeat in Johannesburg and claim their maiden series win in the Rainbow Nation.
“We are here at the picturesque Cape Town. #TeamIndia begin preparations for the 3rd Test,” the BCCI tweeted along with a picture of the Indian camp after the visiting players hit the ground running at the magnificent Newlands Stadium. The third Test is scheduled to be played here from January 11-15.
If Kohli is declared match fit, Hanuma Vihari will make way for the Indian talisman.“It’s GO time here in Cape Town. #TeamIndia all set and prepping for the series decider,” the BCCI wrote in another tweet alongside a host of pictures including Kohli batting at the nets.
India started the series on a rousing note, winning the opener at Centurion by 113 runs before succumbing to a seven-wicket defeat in the second Test at Johannesburg.
The Indian team arrived here Saturday and head coach Rahul Dravid then had said he was hopeful of Kohli playing the third Test.
“Virat Kohli should be fine from all accounts, he should be fine. He has had the opportunity to run around a little bit, he has had the opportunity to test it a little bit,” Dravid had said during a virtual press conference.
As far as the Indian team’s pace bowling department is concerned, veteran seamer Ishant Sharma is likely to come in place of Mohammed Siraj, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the second Test.
Caption
Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli at the nets Sunday Photo courtesy: BCCI
