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SA vs IND | 3rd Test | Kohli ready for comeback, Siraj declared unfit

Abhishek Singh

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli confirmed on Monday, January 10 that he is fit and ready to play in the third Test against South Africa, starting January 11th at the Newlands in Cape Town. However, he also said that Mohammed Siraj will not be available for selection. 

“Mohammed Siraj is not match-ready to play the third Test, we can't take the risk,” Kohli said in a virtual press conference on Monday. "I am absolutely fit," he added while saying that injuries are a natural occurrence and we have to balance it out. 

While Siraj had sustained a hamstring injury during the first innings, Kohli missed the game due to a back spasm. 

Kohli spoke on other topics as well, including how Rishabh Pant needs to take responsibility for his actions. "I think Rishabh Pant will learn from his mistakes and come out as a better cricketer. We did have a chat with him and I'm sure he is a matured cricketer to learn from his mistakes," Kohli said. 

Pant had got out playing a nothing shot, a shot that could be best described as self-destructing. He played that shot at a time when India needed him to stay at the crease. 

The three-match series is squared at 1-1 at the moment and it is a golden opportunity for India to win its first-ever bilateral Test series against the Proteas away from home.

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