An “absolutely fit” Virat Kohli is all set and raring to go as India face a rejuvenated South Africa in the deciding third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town beginning on Tuesday.

The regular captain’s comeback, after missing the second Test due to upper back spasm, could certainly provide Team India with the spark that could be crucial to their chances of a maiden Test series win in the Proteas’ backyard. Also, the Newlands is another fortress India would like to breach, not having won any Test at the venue so far.

The overall quality and experience in the visitors’ line-up continue to provide them with an edge over the hosts.

While Kohli’s comeback in the XI, most probably in Hanuma Vihari’s place, obviously adds to India’s strength. That said, Kohli’s own form with the bat hasn’t been exceptional. In his last 15 Test innings, Kohli scored just two half-centuries, which only reflects the tough time he has had out in the middle.

Fishing outside the off-stump has led to his undoing on most occasions, which the South African bowlers will again look to exploit. A fired-up Kagiso Rabada, set for his 50th Test, and an improving Marco Jansen, along with the consistent Lungi Ngidi, won’t be making matters easier at all for the India skipper.

Rival skipper Dean Elgar said conditions at Newlands “look quite welcoming” for the Proteas. Putting up a brave face, Kohli, however, did not seem to be too worried with his own form ahead of what’s going to be his 99th Test.

“At the end of the day, I realise as a player, I’ve been involved in important moments for the team over the last calendar year or so. Eventually, those moments have been crucial for us in many Tests.

“But if you’re going to look at yourself and judge yourself on the basis of milestones and numbers all the time, I don’t think you’ll ever be content or happy with what you are doing. I take a lot of pride and happiness in the process I am following and I’m at peace with how I’m playing and what I’ve been able to do for the team in a tricky scenario. As long as I am doing that, I have nothing to worry about.

“My best effort is always to produce impact-making performances for my team and I truly believe I don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” Kohli said on Monday in his first news conference on the tour.

Siraj replacement

India seem to be in a fix over whether they should opt for Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav as a replacement for pacer Mohammed Siraj, who’s yet to recover from his right hamstring issue. “It’s difficult for us to figure out who’ll play because everyone is at the top of their game,” Kohli stated.

Message for Pant

Kohli still remembers vividly what Mahendra Singh Dhoni had told him in the initial stages of his career. “MS Dhoni had told me there should be a gap of seven to eight months between one mistake and another, as only then your international career gets longer,” Kohli said.

A similar kind of message appears to have been conveyed to ’keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was under the scanner for his rash shot in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test. Though Pant still has Kohli’s backing, chances of Wriddhiman Saha taking his place cannot be ruled out.

“We’ve had conversations with Rishabh during practice. He knows he needs to reflect on his mistakes and he’s doing that,” Kohli said.

‘Biggest’ test

If South Africa are to come up trumps in Cape Town, a lot depends on captain Elgar, who was massive in their series-levelling win in Johannesburg. It was learnt that Elgar had a bit of a niggle, but he batted at nets on Monday and should be available as this Test, according to him, is South Africa’s “biggest” in the last 10 years. “Yeah, I think this match is potentially the biggest we’ve had in 10 years, or maybe even 15 years.

“I know it’s not always possible to maintain the intensity throughout five days, but you have to be pretty consistent with regards to implementing it throughout. That’s why it’s so important to switch off when you can so that when you switch on, you can almost fall into that mode of knowing what kind of intensity you need to bring in.

“We saw at the Wanderers the minute we brought in the intensity, it seemed to almost fluster the Indians quite a lot. And that can play in our favour,” Elgar said.

Match starts: 2pm (IST). Live on Star Sports