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India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series against South Africa. After pulling off a 203-run win in the first Test, they went one step further to inflict a humiliating innings-and-137-run defeat in the second.

South Africa, who endured a terrible World Cup campaign and were hit by the retirements of Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla, were still expected to provide some sort of competition but they have flattered to deceive. Their only decent performance so far has been the 431 they put up in the first essay of the first Test at Vishakapatnam.

Usually, one would expect some changes in a dead rubber but in the backdrop of the World Test Championship, no game is inconsequential. India will no doubt be going for the kill, and South Africa will at best hoping to hang on for a draw. With that in mind, we take a look at the changes that we might see in both teams.

INDIA

Shahbaz Nadeem for Mohammad Shami

Mohammad Shami has performed admirably in the two Tests and has become a mainstay in the Indian squad in recent years. However, the Indian think-tank might opt to give him a rest to manage his workload.

While Kuldeep Yadav could have made his return to the Test side, he complained of pain in his left shoulder, and was withdrawn from the squad. However, lady luck might have favoured at the perfect moment for Shahbaz Nadeem; something she failed to do all these years.

The Jharkhand spinner was drafted into the Indian squad for the third Test at the last minute following Kuldeep’s injury, and for good reason too. He made his first-class debut way back in 2004, and has recorded phenomenal numbers since then, picking up 424 wickets at an average of 28.59 in 110 First-class matches.

What may also tip the scales in Nadeem’s favour is that the Test is being held at the JSCA international stadium in Ranchi, which serves as his home ground. If he indeed makes his Test debut tomorrow, it might be sweet justice for a man who has tirelessly plied his trade in the domestic set-up.

SOUTH AFRICA

Zubayr Hamza for Aiden Markram

While Aiden Markram may have made the decision easy by injuring his wrist after ‘lashing out at a solid object’, it is an open secret that he was struggling. In four innings on the tour, he had scored 44 runs.

In the second Test, he bagged a pair as he lasted a grand total of four balls, two in each innings. Youngster Zubayr Hamza is likely to replace him for the Ranchi Test.

Hamza maybe just one Test old but he has proved his worth in first-class cricket, scoring 4001 runs in 56 games at an average of 50.01. International matches are a different ball-game no doubt but he certainly cannot do any worse than Markram.

Read: Why Markram’s absence could be a blessing in disguise for South Africa

Heinrich Klassen for Theunis de Bruyn

Another batsman who has not covered himself in glory on the tour is Theunis de Bruyn. Entrusted with the all-important No.3 role in the Test squad, de Bruyn has returned scores of 4, 10, 30 and 8 across the two Tests; not the kind of numbers you are expecting from a top-order batsman.

Back-up keeper, Heinrich Klaasen might be given a Test debut. Klaasen has been labelled a white-ball specialist for his explosive nature but he will want to shed that tag and deliver a solid performance on debut. This change might necessitate a few changes in the batting order, with skipper Faf du Plessis moving up to No.3, vice-captain Temba Bavuma moving to No.4 and Klaasen slotting in at No.5.

Dane Piedt for Keshav Maharaj

Keshav Maharaj, considered South Africa’s premier spinner on the tour, has not had great returns. To add to his wounds, he also sustained an injury while fielding in the second Test, ruling him out of the third. All-rounder George Linde has flown in as his replacement.

However, it seems likely that the Proteas will bring in Dane Piedt in place of Maharaj. Piedt offers a decent amount of experience and even scored a fifty while batting at No.9 in the first Test.

Read: A World XI who could trump India at home

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe

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