Cape Town Test
Mohammed Siraj not match-ready to play third Test: Virat Kohli
Cape Town/IBNS: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli on Monday cleared he is unable to "risk" playing injured young pace bowler Mohammed Siraj in the third Test against South Africa beginning here on Jan 11.
Addressing the customary pre-match press conference, Kohli said, "Mohammed Siraj is not match-ready to play third Test, (so) can't take risk."
However, the red ball captain is yet to finalise the replacement for Siraj in the match.
Kohli, who missed the second Test due to upper back spasm, said he was "absolutely fit" to play the final Test.
After pulling off a stunning victory over the hosts in the first Test, South Africa stunned the tourists with its controlled batting in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test to earn a seven-wicket victory over India, who were led by KL Rahul in absence of Kohli.
Speaking on Rishabh Pant's batting style that has earned criticisms, Kohli backed the aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman saying, "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 mature cricketer to learn from his mistakes."
The three-match Test series is evenly poised at 1-1.
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