Kohli said at the toss that there was moisture inside the surface because of rain over the past week and that the pitch "will do something all day".
India, which won the opening game of the four-test series at Mohali by 108 runs, was boosted by the return of experienced pace bowler Ishant Sharma after a one-match ban.
Seaming allrounder Stuart Binny also came into the lineup, with pace bowler Umesh Yadav and legspinner Amit Mishra making way.
South Africa had the services of pace bowler Morne Morkel and allrounder Jean-Paul Duminy after their recovery from injuries but its first-choice new-ball bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander were ruled out due to injuries.
Steyn sustained a groin injury in Mohali and did not bowl in the second innings there while Philander is out of the series after injuring his ankle during a training session.
South African batsman A.B. de Villiers is playing his 100th test.
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