Team India’s playing XI for the 3rd Test against South Africa is confirmed to have a change as skipper Virat Kohli is on the road to recovery and will be fit for the fixture. Kohli, who was set to lead the visitors in the 2nd Test, was ruled out of the game just a few minutes before the toss.

KL Rahul is leading the team in Kohli’s absence and will don vice-captain’s hat once again when Kohli returns. With Kohli returning, there will be a change in the middle-order and one of the batsmen will be dropped.

Hanuma Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane will compete to keep their respective spots and a call will only be taken later. Amid this, former India opener Gautam Gambhir has backed Vihari to keep his place.

Speaking to Star Sports, Gambhir has said that retaining Vihari would be the right move and said: “We have seen for a long time what performance Rahane has given. I believe when Virat Kohli comes in the next Test match, he bats at No. 4 in place of Rahane and Vihari bats at No. 5.”

“It’s the right move and right direction going forward as well because if the team management has backed Rahane so much, the time has come to back Hanuma Vihari as much because he has looked very solid in both innings,” he added.

Rahane, who scored a crucial 48 in the first innings of the opening Test match, hit 58 off 78 in the 2nd innings of the ongoing Test. Vihari also played a key role and remained unbeaten on 40 off 84 in the 2nd innings.

The team management has a tough call to make going into the 3rd Test. The management backed Rahane over Vihari in the opening Test match and he might keep his spot.

The 3rd test of series the will be played from January 11 to 15 in Cape Town. India are currently leading the three-match series 1-0.