SA vs IND: Rahul Dravid updates on Virat Kohli’s fitness ahead of Cape Town Test

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid sounded optimistic about Virat Kohli’s return for the third and final Test, scheduled to take place from Tuesday, January 11 at the Newlands in Cape Town. The 33-year-old Kohli missed out on playing the Johannesburg Test after he sustained a back spasm.

KL Rahul led the national team in his absence at The Wanderers Stadium where India lost by seven wickets. Dravid said that having returned to training already, the Delhi-born Kohli has looked in pretty good shape in recent times.

He should be good to go, says Rahul Dravid

“Virat Kohli should be fine from all accounts, he should be fine. He has had the opportunity to run around a little bit, he has had the opportunity to test it a little bit. Hopefully with a couple of net sessions in Cape Town, he should be good to go. Everything I am hearing and just having a chat with him, he should be good to go in four days’ time,” Dravid said on a virtual press conference.

Prior to the game, the Board of Control for Cricket in India also updated on Kohli’s availability for the encounter in Johannesburg.

“Team India captain Mr Virat Kohli had a spasm on his upper back this morning. He won’t feature in the second Test against South Africa at The Wanderers. The BCCI medical team will be monitoring him during the course of this Test match.

“KL Rahul will captain the side in his absence. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain for the 2nd Test,” the BCCI had said in its statement.

Hanuma Vihari had replaced Kohli in the playing eleven for the previous match. Vihari didn’t flatter to deceive completely as he scored 20 runs in the first innings followed by an unbeaten 40 in the second. Vihari was also impressive while playing for India A in their red-ball matches against South Africa A at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

The three-match series is currently level at 1-1 with one game left in the series. India had won the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion by 113 runs.