India clinched the series with another thumping win over the Proteas at Pune inspired by the spectacular return to form of Virat Kohli.
The third Test is a dead rubber in terms of the series but World Test Championship points are up for grabs and early leaders India will want to cement their dominance.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Third Test | 19 -23 October | JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi | 06:00
To Win
India 38/100
Draw 11/4
South Africa 10/1
India
Kohli’s men are a ruthless bunch and there isn’t expected to be any let-up from them despite having the series in the bag.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin needs nine wickets to become India’s third-highest wicket-taker against the Proteas. Ashwin has bullied a brittle Proteas batting lineup all series and leads the wicket-takers with 14 scalps.
Ashwin has been well backed up by the pace division with both Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav producing superb spells of bowling. India’s bowler’s dominance over the South African batting has thus far defined the series and that is not expected to change.
India have not needed raging turners to dismantle this Proteas side and the pitch in Ranchi is expected to be another batsman’s paradise.
South Africa
Kohli has pledged that India will not be taking their foot off the gas, which means the Proteas need to redouble their efforts to avoid embarrassment.
The resolve of the tail has so far failed to make up for the top-order’s inability to cash in on flat tracks. Of particular concern has been the Proteas tendency to be three down in no time at all in the first innings.
Skipper Faf du Plessis is the only man to have passed fifty twice in the four Proteas innings so far while Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock’s hundreds in the Proteas’ first innings of the first Test now seem a distant memory.
Spin-bowling allrounder George Linde has been called into the squad and could debut in Ranchi likely in place of Muthusamy. Dolphins allrounder Muthusamy has held his own with the bat but claimed just two wickets in 37.3 overs of his orthodox left-arm spin.
Verdict: India
It isn’t personal, it’s just business for India to whitewash visitors.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
