A day before the match, Team India captain Virat Kohli gave a fitness update of himself and Mohammad Siraj. The decider of the three-match series between India and South Africa is to be from January 11 at the Newlands Ground in Cape Town. Virat says he is fully fit to play the third test match, while Siraj not match fit. Virat could not play in the Johannesburg Test due to a back strain. KL Rahul took over the captaincy of the team in place of Virat Kohli. While Jasprit Bumrah made the vice-captain of the team.

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Virat said that when you are not able to play a test match due to fitness, then you blame yourself

Virat Kohli said, ‘When you can’t play a Test match due to fitness. You blame yourself and think how can I get injured. We take it lightly that a player is playing in all formats and an injury like this shows that we are all human. In the Johannesburg Test, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara hit fifty in the second innings.

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Change Cannot be Imposed, says Virat Kohli

The poor form of both a cause of concern for the team management. But both had indicated a return to form with this innings. Regarding Rahane and Pujara, Virat said, ‘Change cannot be imposed. We should not put players in complicated situations. Virat Kohli also says he is completely fit while Siraj is not match fit. Siraj injured during the Johannesburg Test. In his place, Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav can be included in the team.

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With the return of Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari’s card can be cut from the team. Hanuma was part of the playing XI in the Johannesburg Test. Hanuma scored 20 not out in the first innings and 40 not out in the second innings. Pujara contributed 53 while Rahane contributed 58 runs in the second innings. India won the Centurion Test by 113 runs, while Team India suffered a seven-wicket defeat in Johannesburg. The series currently tied at 1-1.