India vs. South Africa, 3rd Test: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

India have a 1-0 lead and need to only draw the third Test in order to ensure they cannot lose the series.

Date: Wednesday Nov. 25 - Sunday Nov. 29

Start time: 9:30 am local time/ 4 a.m GMT

Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur

Live stream and TV info: Star Sports (India and Bangladesh), SuperSport (South Africa), PTV Sports (Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates)

Weather: The weather forecast has changed quite a lot over the last few days, but it seems certain that there will be at least one rain interruption over the five days, according to AccuWeather.com. Both teams will be keeping a beady eye on the forecast. 

Overview

South Africa find themselves very much on the back foot heading into the third Test against India. They have to win if they want to win the series. They are without Vernon Philander, who has been ruled out of the series. They are also likely to be without Dale Steyn, who is struggling with a groin injury.

They lost four days of the second Test to rain, although, some will argue that considering their disposition, this was not such a bad thing.

Their woes are compounded by the fact that they have looked inept against India’s spinners throughout this tour, even when there hasn’t been much turn in the surface. It’s going to be tough for the visitors, and they will need a top performance from all their senior players if they want to pull this back.

But, here’s the thing: Although India’s spinners have been exceptional, their batsmen have been underwhelming. None of the home side’s players have scored a century and only two have managed a half-century. Those are hardly the numbers of a team stamping their dominance. South Africa’s mental breakdown against spinners has played a massive role in their unravelling and it will serve them well to remember that.

The weather in Nagpur promises to play along, unlike in Bangalore so there is no escaping for the visitors. It’s win or bust and time for the senior players to really put their hands up.

Key players

India

Murali Vijay has been consistent at the top of the order for India. He has helped see off the new ball on more than one occasion and although he has just one score of 50 to show for it, his importance cannot be underestimated.

South Africa

Morne Morkel will most likely have to lead the attack in the absence of Steyn. Concerning for South Africa is the fact that he averages over 40.00 with the ball in the subcontinent. The lanky speedster will have to dig deep.

Squads

India: Ravindra Jadeja, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Varun Aaron, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh Yadav

South Africa: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Jean-Paul Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Simon Harmer, Dane Piedt, Dane Vilas, Kyle Abbott, Stiaan van Zyl, Marchant de Lange

All information obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.