Cape Town: The third Test match of the Test series between India and South Africa is starting from Tuesday. Earlier, Indian Test team captain Virat Kohli held a press conference. The skipper said on Monday that he will return to the team for the third and deciding Test against South Africa as he is “absolutely fit”. The captain, however, made it clear that pacer Mohammad Siraj will not be a part of the Test starting Tuesday.
Kohli, who was ruled out of the second Test due to an upper back strain, practiced with the rest of the team at Newlands on Sunday. He did not look uncomfortable during this and was playing the drive by leaning forward. “I am absolutely fit,” Kohli said in a pre-match press conference.
On the question regarding form, Virat said that, he is not paying attention to outside voices, he is not worried about him. He said that he is preparing properly and focusing on his basics. Let us tell you that Virat Kohli has not been in form for some time. He has not scored a century since November 2019. Due to which he is also getting a lot of criticism on social media.
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I never see myself that way
Kohli further said that, this is not the first time that people are speaking about my form. This has happened many times before in my career. He told that, when I went on the tour of England in 2014, it happened even then. I never look at myself the way the world sees me. I am just focused on doing my best for the team and will do whatever I can for the team.
Siraj will not be part of the third Test
“Siraj is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in the last match and at present I don’t think he is match fit to take the field in the third Test,” Kohli said. “You obviously can’t take a risk with a player who isn’t 110 per cent fit as a fast bowler and we know how important a minor injury is as it can grow into a major injury,” the Indian captain said. ” “Siraj is not as fit as expected,” he said. The captain, however, did not say whether Ishant Sharma would get preference over Umesh Yadav in the third Test.
Kohli said, “As I said, we have not sat down and talked till now, I, the head coach and the vice-captain will decide what to do with the option.” He said, “And I have done this based on my bench strength. The reason said and it is difficult for us to take this decision because everyone is bowling well, batting well, these things can cause differences and there should be a healthy discussion about this decision and everyone should find a balance in it. “But I am glad that we are in a position to sit down and try to decide who will play,” he said.
1-1 draw in the series
India will look to clinch a Test series win for the first time in South Africa by winning the third and final Test, starting here on Tuesday. It is noteworthy that India made an impressive start to the South Africa tour by defeating South Africa by 113 runs in the first Test at Centurion to take the lead. But the hosts won the second Test by seven wickets to level the three-match series 1-1.