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Indian skipper Virat Kohli is set to return to the side after missing out the Johannesburg Test that India lost by seven wickets. Kohli was seen sweating it out in the nets ahead of the third and final Test to be played in Cape Town starting January 11. The 33-year-old was on the sidelines during the second Test as he had spasm in upper back.
BCCI posted photos of India’s net session with caption reading, “It's GO time here in Cape Town. #TeamIndia all set and prepping for the series decider”.
India head coach Rahul Dravid had also hinted Kohli’s return for the final Test. India will have a chance at glory against Dean Elgar’s side as India have never won a Test series on South African soil.
"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. Hopefully with a couple of net sessions in Cape Town, he should be good to go. Everything I am hearing and just having a chat with him, he should be good to go in four days time," Dravid had said in a virtual post-match press conference on January 7.
As Kohli missed the second Test, new Test vice-captain KL Rahul took over the reigns instead of Ajinkya Rahane who had often stood as captain in his absence. As a result, South Africa were able to chase down a total of 240 on Day 4 of second Test. It is the third-highest total chased by any side against India in Test cricket history. Also, Kohli never lost a Test as captain while defending 150 or more.
It will also be another chance for Kohli to end his century drought across formats. The last time India played in Cape Town, they were beaten by hosts by 72 runs. Also, the Indian skipper had a hard time with the bat registering scores of 5 and 28 in first and second innings respectively. In the first Test of the ongoing series, the Delhi-born batter got off to starts but could not convert it as he lost his wicket in similar fashion by chasing the deliveries outside off stump in an attempt to play cover drive.
