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Xtra Time Web Desk : Team India on Thursday lost the second Test of the 3 match series to the Proteas by 7 wickets to set up a fitting finale at Cape Town. The Indian bowlers were absolutely off colour in what was just the fourth day of the Johannesburg Test with a major reason behind their off form being the injury to Mohammed Siraj.

The 27 year old speedster picked up a hamstring injury on Day 1 of the Johannesburg Test and limped off the field in pain. Although the Hyderabad bowler bounced back on to take the field on Day 3 but wasn't quite found in his natural rhythm. And according to former Team India opener, Gautan Gambhir, it was Siraj's absence which led to the 7 wicket defeat to South Africa's hands.

Speaking about Siraj's injury, the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain said, "India missed a fourth seamer. If Mohammed Siraj would have been 100 per cent fit then the captain would have been able to rotate his two key pacers better. And you know that once the ball gets wet, it won't help Ashwin anymore. So literally, you were playing with just three pacers. And when you expect only three pacers to pick the remaining eight wickets, you can't expect any of them to have an off day. So had Siraj been fit, we would have seen a better performance from the pace attack."

Now, the question is, if an in form Mohammed Siraj doesn't turn up fit to play in Cape Town, who could be his probable replacement in the 3rd and decider Test ? Although KL Rahul hinted in the post match interview that it would be either Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav to play as his replacement in the final Test, if Siraj isn't able to feature.

As of now, both the above bowlers are tremendous contenders for that one spot. Umesh on one hand provides that extra pace which is needed in South African conditions, while Ishant Sharma with his wealth of experience brings that extra height factor along with his consistent line and length. Thus it would be pretty interesting to see who the Indian Team management goes with, in case Mohammed Siraj doesn't turn up fit to play the series decider in Cape Town.