Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t anticipate any major changes in the playing XI for Sunday’s third Test against South Africa despite the team’s seven-wicket defeat in Johannesburg earlier this week. Gautam Gambar listed two changes before highlighting the team’s “only concern” ahead of the third Test.
Virat Kohli, who missed the match with an upper back spasm, will take his place, says Gavaskar, despite Hanuma Vihari valiant 40 in the second innings.
Mohammed Siraj was also a concern as the pacer had injured his hamstring during the Wanderers match. In Gavaskar’s opinion, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma will be given a chance to compete and the decision will be the sole concern of the management, ahead of the Cape Town match.
“Apart from the injury aspect about Siraj I don’t see any changes in the XI. This was pretty much the same team that won the first Test match. 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 able to bowl for 15-20 overs owing to the hamstring then they will have him replaced. 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 explained.
The legendary batsman has also backed Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for the third Test after their gritty knocks in the second game against South Africa, saying the team should continue to show faith in the two senior players.
“As a result of their past work for India, the team has already backed them. And they came through. There are young players waiting in the wings who we all want to see, but as long as these seniors play well and not get out badly, I think we should stay with them and trust in them.”
From January 11 onwards, the third Test will take place.
