IND vs SA | South Africa’s Predicted XI for third and final Test in Ranchi

10/18/2019

After taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, the teams will move to Ranchi for the third and final Test of the series, with South Africa vying to salvage some pride. With injuries aplenty, the visitors are expected to make a host of changes on Saturday, with Zubayar Hamza slated to open.

Openers

Zubayr Hamza: Aiden Markram’s self-inflicted injury to his wrist is, in plain words, a synonym of South African cricket of the present time. After bagging a pair in Pune, it was more or less certain that Markram would be dropped for the final Test, and therein Hamza comes to the fore. Only one-Test-old, South Africa's 100th Test cricketer since readmission, Hamza has shown immense potential for the Cobras, making him a solid prospect for the Africans in Ranchi.

Dean Elgar: The Titans man had a huge mental barrier to overcome while taking on the Indian spinners, with the horror tour of 2015 lurking everywhere - from preview shows to his own mind - but he spectacularly got the better of everything that came his way with a fine 160 in Vizag and a stoic 48 in Pune. In times of despair, South Africa would love to have their opener keep on doing what he has done in the first two games.

Middle-order

Temba Bavuma: Even after playing 38 Tests, Temba Bavuma - an epitome of progressive Black Africans - averages 31.78, with 13 fifties and just the one hundred. It was the 30s bug that affected mentally as well as technically but it might be just the chance to stamp his authority as he is expected to take the crucial No.3 position that has been Theunis de Bruyn’s in the last two games.

Faf du Plessis: In the first two Tests of the series, Faf du Plessis, who had a terrible record against India in India in the past, somehow, crossed 50+ scores to ensure that his batting was not under scrutiny as much as his captaincy. However, his leadership, especially his bowling rotation, has left everyone heads scratching and it might just be the final opportunity for him make the final inroads to take visitors away from the shambles.

Henrich Klassen: A veteran in franchise cricket in South Africa, Klassen has always been touted as a batsman, worth his weight in gold in T20s. However, with an average of 44.40 in 67 first-class matches, Klassen has shown enough potential to warrant an opportunity in red-ball cricket. Although he will bat in the lower-middle order, he will be the effective replacement for de Bruyn in the line-up.

Quinton de Kock: Alongside Markram, South Africa’s very own India tormentor Quinton de Kock was touted as the biggest hope and he did live up to the hype with a classy century in the first innings of the first Test. However, after that, it has been a story of failed promise, with the Johannesburg star scoring a total of just 36 runs in the following three innings. However, he is more important than ever for the team at the moment and if he can turn up in Ranchi, then it will be a huge boost for lifeless South Africa.

Spinners

George Linde: Cobras left-arm spinner George Linde has been called up to the squad as a replacement for Keshav Maharaj, and brought with him a great deal of hope too. After the entire spin bowling unit underperformed against India, South Africa would hope that he would bring in some beginner’s luck with him. He did have a great start to the domestic campaign back home, with an 11/131 performance, and might just do well in Ranchi.

Dane Piedt: After missing out on the second Test, and rightfully so, Dane Piedt might replace Senuran Muthusamy in the third considering the latter’s lack of impact on the bowling front. It is unfortunate for Muthusamy for the way he applied himself in the batting front but bowling, where South Africa faltered dramatically, needed to be stepped up. It might just be the time to give Piedt another chance considering his experience.

All-rounder

Vernon Philander: The bowler Philander might not have turned up properly but the batsman Philander has frustrated India to no end. That, in the first place, shouldn’t have been the ideal denominator for him to command a place but jeez, he has been trying his best. Ranchi track will help spinners more than the pacers but Philander’s new ball bowling will hold the key.

Pacers

Kagiso Rabada: The speedster did well on the first day of the second Test, picking all three wickets, but as the game moved along, he rendered ineffective. Rabada, who had a lot to prove in the series, had also ended up being a laughing stock, and if he does live to the huge reputation that he has, then it might just do the trick.

Lungi Ngidi: Anrich Nortje had a forgettable debut for South Africa in Pune, and if anything, he looked out of depth too. That might just pave way for Ngidi to make his fifth Test appearance, after making his Test debut against the same team in early 2018.