The veteran batsman provided an unofficial update regarding Virat Kohli’s fitness.
An upper back spasm left Indian Test captain Virat Kohli out of the second Test against South Africa, as the reins of the Indian test side were handed to white-ball vice-captain KL Rahul.
The 33-year-old was replaced by Andhra batsman Hanuma Vihari who played at the number five position while the under-fire Ajinkya Rahane moved to Kohli’s slot.
Veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara had an update about captain Kohli’s fitness and shared it with the media. He said:
“Officially, I can’t say much but yes, he is definitely getting better and I feel that he will be fit soon. The physio can answer this better and I am sure an update will come from the BCCI very soon,”
Before the commencement of the second Test, the BCCI issued a statement confirming the unavailability of Kohli for the game, citing an upper back spasm, something which stand-in skipper KL Rahul corroborated at the toss.
As per the statement, Kohli was being monitored and was under the supervision of the BCCI’s medical staff, and that his condition would be evaluated during the course of the Test match.
It also said that Hanuma Vihari would be taking his place and announced Karnataka man KL Rahul’s appointment as skipper. Jasprit Bumrah was named as the vice-captain for the Test.
Stand-in skipper KL Rahul also added that while Virat was unavailable for the second Test, he would, in all likelihood, be back for the third Test and that seemed to be the case with visuals showing the skipper getting throwdowns from the coach.
The third Test begins on January 11 in Newlands at Cape Town and it remains to be seen whether Kohli will be available to lead the side.
