IND vs SA: Why is Mohammed Siraj Not Playing Today?

Mohammed Siraj not playing IND vs SA: In a big breaking development, India’s right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is not playing in the today’s series-deciding third and final Test match against South Africa at the Newlands in Cape Town due to hamstring injury. South Africa registered a sensational 7-wicket victory on the back of a staggering effort with the bat in the fourth innings of the second Test to level this three-match Test series by 1-1 against India. Just like the previous two Tests, India once again won the toss and opted to bat first here in Cape Town as well.

IND vs SA: Why is Mohammed Siraj Not Playing Today?

Incidentally, Mohammed Siraj was seen limping out of the field on the latter part of Day 1 of the Johannesburg Test match after pulling off his hamstring. However, the speedster still managed to bowl as many as 15-16 overs in the second Test but was certainly not bowling with 100% fitness which also proved to be a massive blow for the visitors. India captain Virat Kohli who is also back for this series decider revealed that Umesh Yadav comes in the playing 11 in place of Siraj. Unfortunately, Hanuma Vihari will have to sit out even after that gutsy 40 not out in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test.

IND Playing 11 (Confirmed)
KL Rahul
Mayank Agarwal
Cheteshwar Pujara
Virat Kohli
Ajinkya Rahane
Rishabh Pant
Ravichandran Ashwin
Shardul Thakur
Umesh Yadav
Mohammed Shami
Jasprit Bumrah

Related: South Africa vs India 3rd Test Today Match Prediction

India vs South Africa Live 

On the other hand, hosts South Africa have went ahead with an unchanged side from the previous win in the second Test match. Proteas captain Dean Elgar also mentioned at the toss that it is very important to back the players who have performed impressively well in the winning cause.

Related: India vs South Africa 2021 Schedule

SA Playing 11 (Confirmed)
Dean Elgar
Aiden Markram
Keegan Petersen
Rassie van der Dussen
Temba Bavuma
Kyle Verreynne
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Kagiso Rabada
Duanne Olivier
Lungi Ngidi

Related: India ODI Squad for South Africa Series

While talking about some important stats for this IND vs SA 3rd Test, Team India is yet to win a single Test match at the Newlands in Cape Town after 2 draws and 3 losses. Also, this will be the 99th Test match for India captain Virat Kohli.

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