Kolkata: With the Border-Gavaskar trophy levelled at 1-1, both India and Australia have their sights set on the fourth Test in Dharamsala. And just days before the decider gets underway, Indian skipper Virat Kohli doesn’t seem to be in good shape as Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer has been called up as a backup for him. Kohli had sustained a shoulder injury on Day 1 of the third Test in Ranchi after trying to stop a boundary. He didn’t come out to field in the first innings but defied the odds and came out to bat at his normal number four position. “It made sense to have a back-up batsman (Shreyas Iyer) because in case of a contingency it is very difficult to reach a place like Dharamsala,” said a BCCI source, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
Indian fans however were happy that Kohli fielded during the final innings of the drawn third Test match but they wouldn’t be too happy to learn that he skipped the net session on Thursday. He was however present on the ground with his teammates and took part in a customary warm-up with his right shoulder bandaged. To not put much pressure on his right shoulder, he did some under-arm throwing as well during the fielding practice. And meanwhile, pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the fourth Test as physio Patrick Farhart is still monitoring Shami on his thigh injury. It is also learnt from sources that he was not a member of the 15- man squad for the last Test and that his participation in the Vijay Hazare final was a part of his extensive rehabilitation plan.
On the other hand, this could be a really big opportunity for someone like Iyer, who has consistently proved his mettle with the willow at the first-class level for three domestic seasons. His continued brilliance with the bat even fetched him a whopping Rs 2.6 crore deal in the 2015 edition of the Indian Premier League when he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils. The 22-year old also hit a scintillating double ton against the Australians in a practice game at the CCI in Mumbai before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy began and his gritty knock invited a lot of praises.
Former Indian captain and Mumbai batsman Dilip Vengsarkar felt this was a huge opportunity for Iyer. He said, “It’s good news. He’s talented with lot of potential. He’s been consistent. It’s a big opportunity for him.” The chairman of Mumbai’s selection panel, Milind Rege too reacted similarly and praised Iyer for the opportunity which he so rightly deserves. “Someone who has scored tons of runs over the last three years has finally got his chance. He thoroughly deserved it,” said Rege. He is due to fly in tomorrow morning and thus would miss out on the training session.
Kohli’s chances of participating in the all-important game in Dharamsala would rest on a fitness test conducted in the morning session. Indian fans would be hopeful of the fact that the star right-hander would bat at the net sessions on Friday.
While it would be a big break for someone like Iyer, Indian fans would want their skipper to be a part of the team and score some runs against the Aussies in the series decider. History testifies the fact that Kohli is someone who has never sat out of a challenge, despite facing injuries. Remember his fighting 113 against the Kings XI Punjab in the last year of the IPL. He fought all odds and despite having a split webbing on his left hand, he came out to bat and scored a match-winning knock to take his team home.
Time and again, he has proved what grit and dedication mean. He is the most important batsman in the Indian team and his presence is strong enough to prove a statement to the opposition. The Indian team needs a batter of Kohli’s potential in the upcoming Test as most importantly, it is the series which is at stake. And if someone can battle it out under such circumstances, it is Kohli.
(With inputs from PTI)