IND vs SA, 3rd Test: India Opt To bat, Shahbaz Nadeem Makes Test Debut

Team India has already taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber against the Proteas and will face-off for one final time in Ranchi. India have never whitewashed South Africa in a Test series and this  reason will be enough to keep Virat-led men fired up in a dead rubber. The depleted South Africa team batting woes are further compounded by the absence of injured opener Aiden Markram and their senior-most spinner Keshav Maharaj also ruled out. Shahbaz Nadeem, who was called up to the squad yesterday evening, has been handed an India Test cap and will make his Test debut for India in Ranchi. While Virat & Co have so far dominated the visitors in all three aspects of game, it would be a shocker if the Proteas manage to stop team India from making it 3-0 and earn their first points in World Test championship. Temba Bavuma accompanied skipper Faf for the toss but that didn't change anything as India won the toss again and decided to bat first. Heinrich Klaasen comes in as the wicket-keeper in South African squad.

Big day for Shahbaz Nadeem as he is all set to make his Test debut 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #TeamIndia #INDvSA @Paytm pic.twitter.com/3hfYTaVyDL

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 19, 2019

Faf du Plessis: It shows that it isn't meant to be. Important toss as this looks the driest surface of the series. It's about the first innings really and we need to put runs on the board when we bat. Hopefully he can put pressure on the Indian bowlers, like what Rohit has done for India. Virat Kohli: It's a no-brainer to bat first on this one. I don't think it's gonna be slow but it will keep low. Should spin at a decent pace. As long as it turns with pace on the ball, we don't mind the bounce. Just one change - Ishant has been given a break. Shahbaz Nadeem makes his debut. Nadeem is the local boy and it's a dream debut. We'll have to continue to work hard and look to win sessions of cricket. That's the only message I look to pass on. India's Playing XI: In: Shahbaz Nadeem Out: Ishant Sharma Rohit, Agarwal, Pujara, Kohli (C), Rahane, Saha (WK), Jadeja, Ashwin, Umesh, Shami, Nadeem South Africa's XI: IN: Ngidi, Klaasen, Linde, Piedt OUT: Philander, Markram, Maharaj, Muthusamy Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis(c), Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen(w), George Linde, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi