Virat Kohli Declared Fit To Play The 3rd Test

India was defeated by the hosts in the second Test

India red ball captain Virat Kohli has confirmed that he is declared fit to play the 3rd and final Test against South Africa at the Newlands, Cape Town.

Kohli missed the second Test due to upper back spasm vice-captain KL Rahul was given the responsibility to lead the team in the crucial Test game.

“I am absolutely fit,” Kohli said at the pre-match conference.

However, Kohli confirmed that Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj will not feature in the 3rd Test after he suffered a hamstring injury in Johannesburg.

“Mohammed Siraj is still recovering from a hamstring niggle. I don’t think he is a match-fit. Siraj isn’t up to the mark but I am absolutely fit to play” Said Virat Kohli in the pre-match press conference ahead of the 3rd test at Cape Town,” the skipper said.

"You cannot obviously risk a guy who is not at 110 per cent as a fast bowler and we know how important that is as the little niggle he had can extend into an injury," the skipper added.

Indian team management will have to make a big decision on who will replace Siraj in the team as India has got two amazingly talented pacers, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav in the squad.

As I said, we are yet to sit down, myself, the head coach and vice-captain to decide what we want to do about replacement," he said.

"And I say that because of our bench strength and it's difficult for us to figure out as everyone is bowling well, batting well, these things become a point of contention and we need to have a healthy discussion on a decision on that and just that everyone feels balanced (okay) about it," he explained.

“But I am happy being in the position sitting here trying to decide who is going to play rather than having other options.”

India kicked off the series with a perfect start, beating the hosts by 113 runs.

However, the Proteas won the second Test to leave the three-match series level at 1-1.