As Virat Kohli hit the nets on Sunday, he may return for the decisive third Test against South Africa after missing the second game due to a back spasm.
In preparation for the third and final Test, the Indians hoped to recover from the loss in Johannesburg and win the series for the first time.
‘We’re here in Cape Town. #TeamIndia begin preparations for the 3rd Test,” the BCCI tweeted along with a picture of the Indian camp after the players hit the ground running at the magnificent Newlands Stadium. The third Test is scheduled to take place here from January 11-15. Hanuma Vihari will be replaced by Kohli if he is declared match fit. “It’s GO time here in Cape Town. #TeamIndia all set and prepping for the series decider,” the BCCI tweeted alongside a number of photos of Kohli batting at the nets.
In the first Test at Centurion, India won by 113 runs, but went down by seven wickets in Johannesburg to lose the series.
The Indian team arrived in Cape Town on Saturday.
Kohli was absent from the Wanderers game, but Rahul Dravid said after the game that he hoped to have his captain back for the series-deciding match.
Due to an upper back spasm, Kohli missed the previous Test, which led to KL Rahul being elevated to the role of captain.
In a virtual press conference, Dravid had said, “From all accounts, he should be fine. He has run around a little bit, he has tested it a little bit.”
In four days, he should be able to play after some net sessions in Cape Town.” As for the pace bowling department of the Indian team, veteran seamer Ishant Sharma is likely to replace Mohammed Siraj, who suffered a hamstring injury during the second Test.
Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 96 led South Africa to a 1-1 draw in the second Test, leveling the three-match Test series.
