"Rahul Dravid the lucky charm" - Twitter reacts as Virat Kohli wins toss in 3rd Test vs South Africa
Twitter was sent into a frenzy as India captain Virat Kohli won the toss today and opted to bat in the third and final Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Kohli and his bad luck at tosses was the butt of all jokes for the longest duration, but in recent times, the Indian Test skipper's fortunes seem to have changed.
India have now won all three tosses during the series in South Africa and social media can't get enough of it.
Many opined that it wasn't Kohli who had bad fortune, but former head coach Ravi Shastri, as India's luck with tosses seems to have changed since Rahul Dravid took over from him.
Here are some of the best reactions:
We thought Kohli had the curse of the coin but it was Shastri all along.
Very crucial match and toss going our way. Let’s hope for the best 🤞
Virat Kohli wins the toss yet again, Rahul Dravid black magic is unreal!!!! https://t.co/lIJXifaWbk
India won their 8th consecutive toss since Rahul Dravid had been appointed as the Head Coach.
Our Lucky Charm!
#CricketTwitter
When you realize, you were never the problem #INDvSA https://t.co/43aCizLmHQ
Virat Kohli, who missed out on the last Test with a back spasm, returned to the team replacing Hanuma Vihari, while Umesh Yadav pipped Ishant Sharma as Mohammed Siraj's replacement.
Siraj had picked up a hamstring niggle in the last match and was not fully fit for this Test.
Some users also reacted to Umesh Yadav's selection and the decision to pick him over Ishant Sharma, as well as Hanuma Vihari not being given a longer run.
Umesh playing his 1st Test in SA. 10 years after his debut! twitter.com/gurkiratsgill/…
India chose Umesh ahead of the younger, taller Ishant.
Interesting.
Ishant hasn't done much wrong to fall out of favour so quickly, not even in the top 4 bowlers overseas. Thought this quick snubbing will change with Dravid...
It's genuinely tough being Hanuma Vihari. You play one test after an year, do well, but have to miss out again for no fault of yours.
Feel for Hanuma Vihari. Did nothing wrong in the previous opportunity he got after a long, but yet again he has to miss out from the playing XI.
Skipper Virat Kohli replacing Hanuma Vihari.!Gonna feel for him.Played one Test every year.!He has been superb with India A also.!
India looking to create history in South Africa
India are chasing a historic first-ever Test series win in South Africa in the third Test at Newlands, which will be a series decider.
India beat South Africa by 113 runs in the first Test thanks to a century from KL Rahul and a brilliant performance from the pacers led by Mohammed Shami, who picked up eight wickets in the match in total.
South Africa stormed back in the second match, with Dean Elgar's unbeaten 96 helping them chase 240 on a tricky pitch after a good show by their pacers.
As mentioned earlier, Virat Kohli won the toss in the third Test and chose to bat first despite overcast conditions. Speaking on his decision, the 33-year-old said:
"Can't control what is above your head, pitch has grass, we understand that. Runs on the board has worked out well, we need to put runs on the board and then utilise the skills of our bowlers after that."
He said about the changes to the team:
"I come in for Vihari, Siraj misses out with a niggle, Umesh comes in. It was a tough decision between Ishant and Umesh. Umesh is bowling amazingly well."
South Africa, meanwhile, named an unchanged playing XI from the second Test. Speaking after the toss, Proteas skipper Dean Elgar said:
"Ideally you want to bat first on this surface and given the overhead conditions it might not be a bad idea to bowl first."