DHARAMSALA, India — India risk missing the inspiring presence of skipper Virat Kohli in the fourth and final Test against Australia with the 28-year-old saying he would play only if he is 100 percent fit after sustaining a shoulder injury in the previous match in Ranchi.
The feisty top-order batsman damaged his right shoulder when diving to save a boundary on the first day of the penultimate test in Ranchi and was off the field during most of Australia’s first innings in the drawn game.
Kohli did bat in the nets Friday but looked downcast as he dwelled on the possibility of featuring in the winner-take-all match of the series which is all square at 1-1.
“The physio wants to give it a bit more time till I can test myself and we’ll probably take a call on it later tonight or tomorrow before the game,” the Delhi player told reporters.
“You want to be fit for the game 100 percent but sometimes you have to respect the fact that these things (injury) are part of your career as well.”
In Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane led the hosts in Ranchi, a role the Mumbai batsman may have to reprise should the regular skipper sit out with injury.
Uncapped Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer has joined as cover for Kohli, who has struggled against the touring Australian side, managing 46 runs in five innings after registering a double century in each of the preceding four series.
Kohli was sure the team would do well even in his absence.
“If not, I’m sure the guys will take it as an opportunity to still take the team ahead,” he said at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, which will be hosting its first Test from Saturday.
Rahane’s placid demeanor is exactly opposite to Kohli’s animated brand of captaincy, something even rival skipper Steve Smith has noticed.
Smith believes clear thinking and efficient execution set his team apart from the Australian sides in the past who tried and failed in their bid to win a test series in India.
A draw in the fourth and final Test would be enough for Smith and his men to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having triumphed at home in the 2014-15 season.
With the series level at 1-1, the 27-year-old, however, has set his eyes on a victory which would give Australia their first series win since 2004 in India, which former captain Steve Waugh termed the ‘final frontier’.
The touring team also met exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, an experience, Smith hoped, would help him sleep better.
“I asked him a question about sleep, how he could help me,” Smith said.
“We rubbed our noses together, (he) gave me some blessing. So hopefully it will help me with my sleep over the next five days.”
Injury worries for Kiwis
New Zealand scrambled Friday to determine their third Test line up to face South Africa in Hamilton with strike bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee as well as senior batsman Ross Taylor all injured.
With the tourists 1-0 up, New Zealand needs to win in Hamilton to level the series and Williamson said the state of the wicket Saturday before the toss would determine the balance of the side.
“Two spinners is an option we’re looking at due to conditions, but also due to how many people we have fit at the moment,” Williamson said.
While Williamson would not reveal any details about the likely make up of the side, head selector Gavin Larsen indicated Neil Wagner and Matt Henry would take over the new ball duties in the absence of Boult and Southee. — Agencies
