India win toss, bat in third South Africa Test

India win toss, bat in third South Africa Test

NAGPUR (INDIA) - India's captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat in the third Test against South Africa at the VCA ground in Nagpur on Wednesday.

India captain Virat Kohli during play on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at The Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on November 5, 2015

The hosts brought in Amit Mishra to partner Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in a three-man spin attack on a dry pitch which already has wide cracks on the surface.

India, leading 1-0 in the four-Test series, also bolstered their batting by including Rohit Sharma. Mishra and Sharma replaced all-rounder Stuart Binny and fast bowler Varun Aaron.

South Africa also strengthened their spin attack, including off-break bowler Simon Harmer in place of seamer Kyle Abbott.

The top-ranked tourists need a win to take the series into the decider in New Delhi from December 3.

India - Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.

South Africa - Hashim Amla (capt), Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Dane Vilas, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)

TV umpire: Anil Chaudhary (IND)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

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