The India skipper’s return further puts the management in a dilemma: though the side lost the match at Johannesburg, Kohli’s replacement Hanuma Vihari played gritty knocks in both innings, including an unbeaten 40 off 84 in the second. Crucial knocks by Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane further make it tough to come up with the best XI featuring Kohli for the series-decider at Cape Town.

Here’s a look at how India could accommodate Kohli into the XI.

Drop either Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane

Both Pujara and Rahane have been in the firing line due to a string of below-par showings recently. While the number three averaged just over 28 in 2021, Rahane’s average read a poor 20.82 and he lost the vice-captaincy. The duo, however, played pivotal knocks in Johannesburg, putting their experience to best use in the absence of Kohli. After India had slipped to 44-2 in the second innings, Rahane and Pujara combined to score 111 runs for the third wicket.

However, while they have the experience, consistency has deserted them of late, and it might not be that far-fetched to have Kohli walk into the XI in place of either one of the two senior pros.

India, though, have backed both Pujara and Rahane despite their indifferent showings and expecting them to drop either player after crucial knocks in the previous game seems unlikely.

Bench Hanuma Vihari

The most likely change ahead of the third Test. Hanuma Vihari’s Test journey has been nothing short of a roller-coaster. He was India’s savior at the SCG last year but hadn’t played Test cricket until the Johannesburg Test. Not picked for the home Tests against New Zealand, Vihari was sent to South Africa instead for the ‘A’ tour. He put his recent experience in the country to good use in the second Test, scoring 20 in 53 and 40* off 84 in the two innings, but India’s hesitancy to drop Rahane and Pujara and their tactic of playing five bowlers leaves very little scope for Vihari to retain his spot.

Get in Kohli for Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj’s hamstring injury could force India to make another change for the third Test at Cape Town, but instead of replacing him with another quick, India could look to slot Kohli in his place. It would mean playing three fast bowlers in Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, with R Ashwin as the off-spinner and Vihari as the part-timer.

However, the slower bowlers from both sides have sent down only 63.4 overs in the two Tests thus far, as against the 493.3 that the quicks have bowled. The role of the spinners has been limited, and with the wicket at Cape Town not likely to have much on offer for the tweakers, India might not want to weaken their fast bowling resources.

Drop Ashwin and strengthen the batting

Ashwin, the bowler, has not played a huge role in the ongoing series. He has bowled 43.4 overs, picking up three wickets at an average nearing 39. He has not been the most economical either, and India could look to go in with Vihari as the sole spinner. It would allow the visitors to have specialist batting options in their top six, with Rishabh Pant and Thakur batting at Nos.7 and 8.

Open with Cheteshwar Pujara

A move that is unlikely but still possible, India could experiment with Pujara as the opener in place of Mayank Agarwal. Pujara walked out to bat at the top recently in the series against New Zealand, but the Agarwal’s patient knock of 60 off 123 balls in the first innings of the first Test displayed his skills against the new ball, and India will most likely stick to their opening pair.