South Africa win toss, bat first in second test v India

CAPE TOWN : South Africa captain Dean Elgar won the toss and elected to bat first in the second and final test against India amid glorious sunshine at Newlands on Wednesday as the hosts seek a series sweep against the top ranked side in the world.

South Arica have made three changes to the team that won the first test by an innings and 32 runs on a lively wicket in Pretoria.

Middle order batter Tristan Stubbs makes his debut in the place of injured regular captain Temba Bavuma.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj earns his 50th cap in the place of injured Gerald Coetzee and seamer Lungi Ngidi comes into the team for Keegan Petersen as the hosts opt for an extra bowler.

"It looks an interesting wicket, a few snakes in it, hopefully it comes to the fore when we bowl," Elgar said. "It is a big hurdle for us and a big test, this is our marquee game for the season. We have to start well."

India captain Rohit Sharma admitted he would have batted first had he won the toss as the visitors made two changes.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has recovered from back spasms and replaces Ravichandran Ashwin, while seamer Mukesh Kumar comes in to play his second test for Shardul Thakur.

"There will be enough in the pitch for the seamers, so hopefully we can cash in on it," Rohit said. "It is important for us to forget what has happened in the past, it is about the present."

The match is a final in his 12-year test career for Elgar, who announced his retirement ahead of the series.

South Africa: Dean Elgar (capt.), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

India: Rohit Sharma (capt.), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL