INDIA-SA SERIES

Third Test: India win toss, elect to bat first against SA

philander-rahul-afp South Africa's Vernon Philander (left) celebrates the dismissal of India's batsman Lokesh Rahul during the first day of the third Test at Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg | AFP

India won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa in the third and final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. India are already reeling at 17/2 in 12 overs, with openers K.L. Rahul (0) and Murali Vijay (8) falling to Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada respectively.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli announced two changes in the playing XI after the Centurion Test, with right-handed batsman Ajinkya Rahane coming into the team for Rohit Sharma while medium-fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming at the cost of spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Meanwhile, the hosts have gone for a single change with Andile Phehlukwayo coming in for spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The Proteas have already sealed the series by winning the first two test matches and are aiming for a whitewash.

Though, form is with the home team but history sides with India. India have played four Tests at Wanderers and never lost in any.

India playing XI: Murali Vijay, K.L. Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Parthiv Patel (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.

South Africa playing XI: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi.

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