Virat Kohli hits nets in Cape Town

Cape Town, January 9

India Test captain Virat Kohli hit the nets today and if his cover drives and off drives were any indication, he could return for the decisive third match against South Africa after missing the second game due to a back spasm.

Coach Rahul Dravid has a chat with Cheteshwar Pujara. Photos: BCCI

The Indian team began training for the third and final Test hoping to recover from the defeat in Johannesburg and claim its maiden series win in the Rainbow Nation. “We are here at the picturesque Cape Town. #TeamIndia begin preparations for the 3rd Test,” the BCCI tweeted along with a picture of the Indian camp after the visiting players hit the ground running at the magnificent Newlands Stadium. The third Test is scheduled to be played here from January 11 to 15.

If Kohli is declared match fit, Hanuma Vihari will make way for the Indian talisman. As far as the Indian team’s pace bowling department is concerned, veteran seamer Ishant Sharma is likely to come in place of Mohammed Siraj, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the second Test.

Special memories: Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is glad to be back at Newlands as one of India’s premier fast bowlers, four years after making his Test debut at the same venue.

“Cape Town, January 2018 — is where it all began for me in Test cricket. Four years on, I’ve grown as a player and a person and to return to this ground brings back special memories,” Bumrah tweeted after the team’s first training session at the venue.

The 28-year-old Bumrah made his Test debut here in 2018 and took four wickets in the match. He finished that series with 14 wickets in three matches. Overall, Bumrah has taken 107 wickets in just 26 matches. — PTI