With the series tantalisingly poised at 1-1, both India and South Africa may have to contend with lateral movement in the pitch at Newlands in Cape Town, where the third and final Test gets underway on Tuesday.

India won the opener in Centurion by 113 runs, but South Africa rode on their quicks’ bowling effort as well as captain Dean Elgar’s defiant 96 not out in the fourth innings to break the Johannesburg jinx against the visitors and level the series.

On paper, India have the edge, courtesy the overall experience in their squad, although the momentum is with the Proteas following their seven-wicket win in the previous Test.

It is learnt that the steep and variable bounce at the Wanderers that troubled quite a few players of both the teams may not be much of a factor at Newlands as the nature of the surface there is more compact.

That means batsmen should get extra value for their shots and it should be a very good batting track for the first couple of days at least. “It may not really be a wicket where 400-450 can be achieved easily, but do expect it as another surface that will produce a result,” said a Cricket South Africa (CSA) source.

Spinners too may get purchase as the game progresses. “Initially, spin will probably come into the role as a holding option. But there are a couple of very hot days expected in between, which means the surface could deteriorate quicker.

“All depends on the length of grass the groundsmen leave out there,” the source added. The Indian team, on Sunday, began training at Newlands for the decider, hoping to recover from the defeat in Johannesburg and claim their maiden series win in South Africa.

The last time India played a Test in Cape Town, in January 2018, they had lost the game by 72 runs in four days. Though India’s pacers fared well in that game, the batsmen failed to deliver as they got bundled out for 135 in pursuit of a 208-run target.

Batting has been India’s problematic area on the current tour, as barring KL Rahul, others haven’t been consistent enough. Senior pros Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane regaining form with their half-centuries in the second innings in Johannesburg, however, bodes well for the team.

Regular captain Virat Kohli, missing the second Test due to upper back spasm, batted at the nets during Sunday’s training session and seems to be on way to return to the XI. The team management, however, is still monitoring the condition of pacer Mohammed Siraj, who hurt his right hamstring in Johannesburg.

The picture could be clearer on Monday as to whether Siraj could be available for the decider. If Siraj fails to regain fitness in time, India will have to decide between Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to partner lead pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

While Ishant has the experience, Umesh seems to be the better option given his ability to use the pace off the South African pitches better.