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India takes on South Africa in the much-awaited series decider at the Newlands in Cape Town. India won the first Test in Centurion by 113 runs. India needing a victory to win their first series ever on South African soil squandered the chance. South Africa won the second test quite Comfortably in the end to level the series.
A huge clash in Cape Town đź’Ą
India need a win to seal a historic series victory, but South Africa have never lost a Test to them at this venue – who’s taking this?#SAvIND Preview 👇https://t.co/jc3lPRsS8M
— ICC (@ICC) January 10, 2022
Many believed the result was due to the absence of Virat Kohli the Indian Test team captain. Kohli has failed to add runs with the bat lately. However, he carries his team with his remarkable spirit and leadership qualities. Kohli missed the second test due to back spasms. Virat Kohli is not moved at all with everyone talking about his form. Here is what he to say about it:
"The standards that we're talking about today, that I'm being compared with, have been set by myself"
Virat Kohli ahead of the #SAvIND decider 👇
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 10, 2022
The Indian captain is set to return for the series decider. He will most likely replace Hanuma Vihari who looked good in the middle in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj was injured in the first inning and will be sidelined for the final test against the South Africans. Ishant Sharma is very much likely to replace the pacer.
It's GO time here in Cape Town đź‘Ź đź‘Ź#TeamIndia all set and prepping for the series decider đź‘Ť đź‘Ť#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/RgPSPkNdk1
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2022
India are yet win a test in Cape Town having lost three Tests and drawn two. The last time they played here was back in 2018 when India lost the game by 72 runs.
South Africa will rely on Kagiso Rabada who has the bowling average in Tests in Cape Town. He has taken 35 wickets in six matches here. In his last five tests in Cape Town, Rabada has taken 31 wickets at 16.83.
As Kagiso Rabada prepares for his 50th Test match representing the #Proteas, the paceman reflects on some of his best memories while looking to make many moređź’Ş
Full article: https://t.co/O6d6splBDu#SAvIND #FreedomTestSeries #BetwayTestSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/FHaA4GRVbV
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 10, 2022
The Proteas will also expect their captain to play big knocks considering his average in Cape Town. The opener has scored more runs in Cape Town than any other venue with an average of 50.57.