India or South Africa 3rd Test – Who Are Favourites? Dinesh Karthik, Shaun Pollock Predict Cape Town Game

Ind vs SA, 3rd Test: Dinesh Karthik and ex-South African stalwart Shaun Pollock backed the visiting side to win at Newlands. 

Cape Town: With a little more than a day to go for the third and final Test at Cape Town between India and South Africa, plaudits are making their predictions. Despite a seven-wicket loss at Johannesburg, senior India cricketer Dinesh Karthik and ex-South African stalwart Shaun Pollock backed the visiting side to win at Newlands.

While talking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said: “I genuinely feel India is the frontrunner for many reasons. That is because their batting looks more strong. Also, with no Quinton de Kock, the hosts look a little brittle in their batting department. After Temba Bavuma one feels there is not much batting,” he said.

Pollock also agreed with Karthik but said that one cannot write off the hosts.

What will bolster India’s chances is the return of Virat Kohli. Kohli – the captain and the premier batter – both add massive value. His return would mean either Hanuma Vihari or Ajinkya Rahane miss out.

What does not work in favour of India is the fact they have never won at the Newlands in a Test. But again, they breached fortress Gabba and Centurion last year and one cannot write off the chances of them doing the same at Nelands.

IND vs SA Test Squads

INDIA – Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Priyank Panchal

South Africa – Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma (c), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen. Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier