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Cheteshwar Pujara provided an injury update on Indian skipper Virat Kohli who is on the sidelines in the ongoing Johannesburg Test due to upper back spasm. Pujara did not divulge any specific information about Kohli’s recovery but said that he is expected to get fit soon.
"Officially I cannot reveal anything more but now he (Kohli) is definitely getting better and I feel that he will be fit very soon," Pujara replied to Sports Tak query in post-Day 3 media interaction.
India’s no.3 batsman further said that the exact status on the 33-year-old’s fitness will be revealed by the physio in future. In Kohli’s absence, vice-captain took over the reigns at the Wanderers stadium.
Pujara also talked about the support he has received from Kohli, coach Rahul Dravid and the team management during the tough phase.
"The team management has always been supportive except the outside noise, coaching staff, captain everyone has been behind the players,” the veteran said.
"There are times when you don't get too many runs but important is to follow right routine and keep working on game because at times, you won't get runs but if you follow the right processes, you will get runs and this is what has happened. I am sure this form will continue," he added.
Because of Kohli’s injury, the first Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru is likely to be his 100th Test if he recovers before the Cape Town Test. The Delhi-born batsman is going through a slump in form as he is yet to score a century across formats since November 2019. He registered disappointing scores of 35 and 18 in Centurion Test getting out chasing deliveries outside off stump.
Facing harsh criticism over his inconsistent run, Pujara scored a crucial half-century on Day 3 in the second innings, adding to his overnight score of 35. He shared a 111-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane to help India recover from early blows in the last session on Day 2.
India posted a total of 266 before getting bundled out in the second session of Day 3 setting a target of 240. South Africa ended the day on a positive note with 118/2 on the scoreboard. Dean Elgar remained unbeaten for 46 as the hosts need 122 more runs to register their first Test win over India in Johannesburg.
