The hosts brought in Amit Mishra to partner Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in a three-man spin attack on a dry pitch which already has wide cracks on the surface.
India, leading 1-0 in the four-Test series, also bolstered their batting by including Rohit Sharma. Mishra and Sharma replaced all-rounder Stuart Binny and fast bowler Varun Aaron.
South Africa also strengthened their spin attack, including off-break bowler Simon Harmer in place of seamer Kyle Abbott.
The top-ranked tourists need a win to take the series into the decider in New Delhi from December 3.
India - Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.
South Africa - Hashim Amla (capt), Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Dane Vilas, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
TV umpire: Anil Chaudhary (IND)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)