India Playing XI Cape Town Test: Pant stays, Umesh in – With the series on the line, Test skipper Virat Kohli is all set to return. But Kohli and coach Rahul Dravid will have to make some tough choices. Should out of form Rishabh Pant stay on and who should come in as injured Mohammed Siraj’s replacement for the 3rd Test? Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes Pant should stay while Umesh Yadav should come in. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“I don’t think team management will drop Rishabh Pant. He is definitely the X-Factor for Team India. He is a match-winner. The only communication Virat and Rahul Dravid must have had with him would be how to approach an innings. If it was purely based on keeping skills, Wriddhiman Saha would be there but in batting, Rishabh is above him,” Wasim Jaffer told InsideSport.IN on InsideCricket show.
India Playing XI for Cape Town Test: Wasim Jaffer says, ‘Continue with Rishabh Pant, bring Umesh Yadav in XI’ – Follow IND vs SA live updates
India go into the 3rd and final Test against South Africa with the aim to create history in Cape Town, not only to win a Test at the venue but to also win a series for the first time. While Rishabh Pant stays on, in all probabilities, barring any late injuries, Hanuma Vihari is all set to be dropped despite a gritty knock in 2nd Test.
“The obvious choice is to drop Hanuma Vihari. It will be a little harsh on him because I thought he played really well in 2nd Test. But I think the kinds of innings Pujara and Rahane played, you can’t drop them. So, Hanuma goes out, Virat comes in,” Wasim Jaffer told InsideSport.IN.
India Playing XI for Cape Town Test: Wasim Jaffer says, ‘Continue with Rishabh Pant, bring Umesh Yadav in XI’ – Follow IND vs SA live updates
India Playing XI vs South Africa, Cape Town Test: Wasim Jaffer’s picks
1. KL Rahul
2. Mayank Agarwal
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
4. Virat Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Rishabh Pant (WK)
7. R Ashwin
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Mohammed Shami
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Jasprit Bumrah
But the situation with Mohammed Siraj isn’t great. He has had four days to recover and from his hamstring injury and that isn’t enough time for him to recover. In his place, Wasim Jaffer feels Umesh Yadav should come in. That means Ishant Sharma will be benched once again, edging closer to the end of his career.
“There is not a lot to choose between Ishant and Umesh. Ishant doesn’t have the pace anymore but can use his experience and could be effective with his height against left-handers. For Umesh, he is faster and can swing the ball. All India can do is to go by the nets session and decide between the two,” Wasim Jaffer said.
India Playing XI for Cape Town Test: Wasim Jaffer says, ‘Continue with Rishabh Pant, bring Umesh Yadav in XI’ – Follow IND vs SA live updates
We are here at the picturesque Cape Town ⛰️👌🏻#TeamIndia begin preparations for the 3rd Test #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/U8wm0e0zae
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2022
India Playing XI: Why should Umesh Yadav play ahead of Ishant Sharma?
- The Newlands pitch has traditionally helped fast bowlers with some swing.
- The cool breeze from the nearby sea carries moisture and is helpful to the fast bowlers.
- Umesh Yadav bowls at 140kph+ and manages to get outswings which can be very effective in those conditions.
- The other factor that will work for Umesh Yadav is his attacking intent. Like Mohd Siraj, Umesh Yadav likes to take the attack to the batsman with full-length deliveries outside the of-stump at over 140kph, forcing the batsmen to drive and make mistakes.
- Ishant Sharma on the other hand is a defensive bowler who likes to keep the scoring in check rather than forcing the batsman to make mistakes. With series on the line, Umesh could be a potent bowler.
India Playing XI for Cape Town Test: Wasim Jaffer says, ‘Continue with Rishabh Pant, bring Umesh Yadav in XI’ – Follow IND vs SA live updates
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