3rd Test India vs South Africa: Three and Easy for the Men in Blue?

India vs South Africa

The series is already won, and now captain marvel Virat Kohli is after a whitewash against the Proteas when the 3rd Test India vs South Africa gets underway this weekend.

India has wiped the floor with their visitors in two stunning wins so far, and South Africa is in disarray. And when a packed crowd gathers at the JSCA International Cricket Complex in Ranchi they’ll expect more of the same.

The weather is predicted to be cloudy, but rain is unlikely to save Faf du Plessis’ tourists who lasted just four days in the second Test, as the very latest India vs South Africa betting odds here at SBOBET point to a 3-0 series triumph.

 

Talking Points

King Kohli

South Africa’s initial task in the Second Test was to keep Rohit Sharma quiet after he had plundered 176 and 127 runs in a 203 win in the series opener in Bengaluru. Well, they managed to achieve that, as Kagiso Rabada trapped the opener for just 14. Unfortunately for the Proteas, his opening partner Mayank Agarwal helped himself to a ton and then, after Rabada also dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara, things got significantly worse.

Virat Kohli was majestic in his innings of 254 not out, from 336 balls, leaving the visitors’ hopes of a fightback in tatters as India declared on 601-5. They were skittled twice and India still had 137 runs to spare as the series was wrapped up at 2-0. Kohli has been acknowledged by many to be the best batter in the world, but his ICC top ranking was snatched by Steve Smith after his one-man heroics held England to a draw in the Ashes. But Kohli is now just a single point behind, on 936 points, and will surely take his position at the top again next week.

The comprehensive win in Pune was an apt celebration of Kohli’s 50^th test match as India captain, as he has overseen them become the best side in the world. The Proteas were bowled out for just 189 in the second innings as paceman Umesh Yadav took 3 for 22 while spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja took 3-52.

Proteas in a spin

Winning in the subcontinent takes a huge amount of toughness, patience, and no little skill. But South Africa has failed spectacularly, so far, to test India’s batsmen. And they have been dealt another blow with the news that spinner Keshav Maharaj sustained a shoulder injury while fielding in Pune, and is out for the third Test. Uncapped left-arm spinner George Linde has been flown over to India to take his place.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is South Africa’s most potent weapon. With a sub-25 bowling average, he is the second-best Test bowler in the World ICC Rankings, and he took the first three of India’s five wickets in Pune. But he desperately needs support.

Vernon Philander is a superb seam bowler but at a moderate pace and he looks tired. There may be more bite to come from the 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, who made his debut in Pune.

And Du Plessis needs his batsmen to stand up. Only Quinton de Kock, the wicket-keeper batsman, who is in the ICC top ten batting rankings, can feel he is not under pressure, while Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma and Du Plessis himself are struggling badly for form.

 

History

In all head to head matches since 2015 Kohli’s men have had the better of the India vs South Africa results; India is ahead by 20 to 10 and there has been one no-result,

Before the five-day game contest started South Africa won the third T20, match but lost that series too. And it was a rare blip for Kohli’s men.

In the run-up to this tour India beat the Windies in all three formats of the game, winning the test series 2-0, and after winning the first two against South Africa is powering ahead in the ICC World Test Championship, on 200 points, with their nearest rivals well over 100 behind.

These are early days in the new competition format of the five-day game, but India is already the team to catch.

And this is India’s 11^th consecutive series win at home, beating Australia’s record of ten home wins on the run.

 

Betting Tip

	India vs South Africa	India 1X2 @ 1.35
	October 19, 12:00 (GMT+8)

You know what? I’m looking hard but can’t find a compelling argument for the Proteas winning the third Test. Their batsmen are out of form and they have lost their spinner, a key man on the dusty Indian tracks.

Meanwhile, Kohli and co just seem to be getting better and better.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE CRICKET STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.