Dharamshala: On Friday, India cricket team skipper Virat Kohli skipped batting during the India cricket team nets session at the HPCA stadium, which created the suspense on his playing in the fourth and final test match between India and Australia starting on Saturday.
Virat Kohli who injured his right shoulder after landing heavily while stopping a boundary in the third Test in Ranchi, did come out to bat in that game. But it appears the injury is severe.
His shoulder in a kinesic tape, the Indian skipper was seen in discussion with the team’s Aussie physio, Patrick Farhart. Coach Anil Kumble joined in, looking grim, as Farhart examined the shoulder.
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The Indian team management has called up young Mumbai top-order batsman, Shreyas Iyer as cover, and he reached Dharamsala on Friday morning.
Kohli’s absence would be a blow, the team would not like him to aggravate the injury by playing.
Shreyas aged 22, has enjoyed a superb run in domestic cricket in the last two years. He was the leading Ranji Trophy run-getter in the 2014-15 season, and topped the aggregate last season for Mumbai when they finished runners-up to Gujarat.
Friday’s final training session for India will virtually be a fitness Test for Kohli. However, the Indian skipper will be desperate to play in the high-voltage game.
Kohli injured his right shoulder in the 40th over of Australia’s first innings in Ranchi. Peter Handscomb played a ball from Ravindra Jadeja to wide long on and he chased and dived. He did stop the boundary, but fell heavily in the process. He was off the field for a long period as Ajinkya Rahane led the team, and although the BCCI media release said it was only a ‘strain’ and that Kohli would return to action, the manner of his fall suggested it could be more serious.