India have won the toss and opted to bat in the third Test against South Africa at the Wanderers.
South Africa beat India by 135 runs at Centurion last week to take an unassailable lead in the series. In the aftermath of that victory, captain Faf du Plessis spoke about the desire within the squad to crack on and thump India 3-0.
Aiden Markram has recovered from the quad strain he sustained in the second Test and will open the batting at the Wanderers. Keshav Maharaj makes way for Andile Phehlukwayo as the Proteas look to make the most of the bowler-friendly conditions.
At the toss, Du Plessis confirmed that he would have bowled first if he had the option.
The five-pronged pace attack of Vernon Philander (who is playing in his 50th Test), Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Phehlukwayo should receive more assistance from the pitch at the Wanderers than the Proteas did from the strip at Centurion. Showers are also expected across the five days, and the resultant cloud cover could lead to some swing.
There was some rain in Johannesburg last night. As a result, the super-sopper was in action at the Wanderers this morning.
Meanwhile, India have come into this clash without a spinner. Ajinkya Rahane replaces Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is preferred to Ravi Ashwin.
South Africa – 1. Dean Elgar, 2. Aiden Markram, 3. Hashim Amla, 4. AB de Villiers, 5. Faf du Plessis (c), 6. Quinton de Kock (wk), 7. Vernon Philander, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Morne Morkel 11. Lungi Ngidi
India – 1. Lokesh Rahul, 2. Murali Vijay, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Parthiv Patel (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Mohammed Shami , 11. Jasprit Bumrah
Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images
