'I'm Fit To Play, Siraj Not Up To The Mark For Final Test': Virat Kohli Ahead Of Ind vs SA 3rd Test
Virat Kohli on Monday said he is absolutely fit and will play the third and final Test against South Africa.
New Delhi: Indian cricket team's red-ball skipper Virat Kohli, who missed the Ind vs SA 2nd Test due to back spasm, is all set to return for the series decider and will play his career's 99th Test match against South Africa.
The three-match series is currently leveled at 1-1. India and South Africa will clash against each other in the series decider, starting Tuesday at Cape Town.
"I take a lot of pride and motivation in whatever I have done. I think I don't need to prove anything to anyone and that is the job of the outsiders," Virat said during the press conference.
"It's hard to believe when I see the screenshots when I became the captain and the road we travelled. It was a collective madness of the entire team. We succeeded because of that. Unless you have that passion, madness you cannot just strategize and get success."
Talking about Mohammed Siraj's availability for the series decider, Virat said, "I do not think Mohammed Siraj is match-ready for the third Test. You cannot risk playing a fast bowler."
Virat Kohli praises R Ashwin for fulfilling injured Jadeja's role
"Jadeja's value everyone's know. But Ash has contributed immensely in this series . He is willing to contribute for the team and he is doing that . Jadeja has an injury but Ashwin has fulfilled that role when he got his chance," Virat said on Ashwin.
Under-fire senior batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, playing for their careers, came good with the bat in Ind vs SA 2nd Test after string of poer performances. The duo scored half-centuries in India's second innings of Ind vs SA 2nd Test.
"Pujara and Rahane's experience is priceless for us. We have seen that in Australia in the past. Transition will unfold itself," Virat said on Rahane and Pujara.
Star opener KL Rahul had replaced Virat as captain for Ind vs SA 2nd Test, the match was won by South Africa. Reacting to Rahul's captaincy and India's loss, Virat said, "KL Rahul has had a very balanced captaincy in the last Test, but South Africa played very good cricket in Johannesburg."
"MS Dhoni gave me a very good advice in the beginning of my career, it is necessary to have a gap of at least 8 to 9 months between your one mistake and another. If this happens then only your career in international cricket can be long."
"No player should repeat the same mistake. That's what's most important," the Indian skipper said.
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