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Xtra Time Web Desk : Team India Test skipper Virat Kohli on Monday attended the pre match press conference ahead of the 3rd and final Test of the series which is set to start from tomorrow at Newlands, Cape Town.

And in that vital presser, the 33 year old opened up on some very important matters which included his fitness issues as the Delhi batter missed the Johannesburg Test due to upper back spasms. Replying to a question regarding the above matter, the 98 Test cap holder said, "I am absolutely fit,"

Also talking about the availability of pacer Mohammed Siraj, who injured his hamstring in the 2nd Test, Kohli said, "Siraj is obviously recovering from the (hamstring) niggle he had in the last game and at present, I don't think he is match-ready to take the field in the third Test. You cannot obviously risk a guy who is not at 110 percent as a fast bowler and we know how important that is as the little niggle he had can extend into an injury. Siraj is not up to the mark,"

However the skipper didn't give a clue about who amongst Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma would replace Siraj. Opening up on this matter, the Delhi batter said, "As I said, we are yet to sit down, myself, the head coach and vice-captain to decide what we want to do about replacement. And I say that because of our bench strength and it's difficult for us to figure out as everyone is bowling well, batting well, these things become a point of contention and we need to have a healthy discussion on a decision on that and just that everyone feels balanced (okay) about it. But I am happy being in this position sitting here trying to decide who is going to play rather than having other options."

Speaking about the two most discussed about senior cricketers of the team in Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, the Indian Test skipper said, "Well, I obviously can't pinpoint when we will have a talk on transition. The game itself pans out in a way that transitions happen. It can't be forced by individuals," Kohli put forth his point pretty succinctly. If you look at the last Test, the way Jinx and Pujara batted, in the second innings, that experience is obviously priceless for us, especially in series like these where we know that these guys have done the job in the past. These guys have performed in Australia the last time we were there. In the last Test, they played crucial knocks in crucial situations and that has a lot of value. I feel, transitions do happen and they happen naturally. Conversations can't be forced around transitions is what I feel. When the transition happens, everyone knows which direction the team is going, that's a very natural progression and I think we should leave transition to unfold itself and not necessarily force individuals in tricky or difficult situations,"

Also talking upon Rishabh Pant and his tendency to get out playing rash shots, the 70 International century holder added, "MS Dhoni, at the start of my career, had given me a fabulous piece of advice. Between your first and second mistake, there should be a minimum gap of seven to eight months and then only can you prolong your career. That got ingrained in my system that I will not repeat the same mistake. As long as an individual, one accepts the responsibility, I think, then only can you make proper progress. We have all been out at some point at important stages of a match in our careers. Sometimes because of pressure, sometimes because of our own mistake and some other times when a bowler shows quality skills. You need to understand what was the mind-set at that particular moment when you made a certain decision. The more we learn to accept our mistakes, the better players we become. We improve and ensure that (mistakes) are not repeated. He will make sure that next time in an important situation, he will stand up and take responsibility and give an impact performance."

Team India under the leadership of Virat Kohli would look to win the Cape Town Test and clinch the historic first ever series victory on South African soil.