Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury has been giving nightmares to Indian fans all around. The Indian took looked a deflated unit for most part of Australia’s first innings in Ranchi, mainly because of the absence of their talisman Kohli. The team new what the purpose was, but there was just no guiding force, and it looked as if the Indians were bereft of ideas. And now Kohli has dropped a bomb on cricket fans in India by saying that he might not be available for the decider in Dharamsala.
Advertisement
Kohli will undergoing a fitness test early tomorrow morning to see if he is in a state to function for the entirety of the 4th Test.
Shreyas Iyer has already been called up as backup for Kohli, who hasn’t participated in any practice sessions since arriving in Dharmsala. Kohli was present during training, but did no more than a few underarm throws in the field. He then hit some balls in close supervision of the team’s physiotherapist, Patrick Farhart.
He has made it pretty clear that he’ll play only if he is 100% fit and that he is no different to anyone else in the team, and so won’t be participating if not deemed fit by the team management.
When we put these things in place the first thing I said was ‘I’m not different from anybody else’,” Kohli said on Friday.
“The same process applies for me as it does all the other members of the team.
“There’s no special treatment for anyone”
“If I’m 100 per cent fit for the game is the only condition that I will take the field.”
“The physio wants to give it a bit more time till I can test myself and will probably make a call on it later tonight or tomorrow before the game.”
“We’ll have to give it that much time more for me to make that call with the physiotherapist.”
Virat Kohli has emphasised that it is his fielding that will be affected most by the shoulder injury and there is a chance of aggravating it further. Batting isn’t the problem and thus there will more of fielding drills during his fitness test before the game.
Also Read: MS Dhoni gives an update on his retirement plans
“At this stage the injury has an element of being aggravated in the field. While batting there’s no problem whatsoever of it getting aggravated.”
“I’ve taken medication after last game so I’m hoping it takes some more time for me to get back to the normal movements I have (when fully fit).”
While describing the fitness test that he’ll go through, Kohli said, “That (fitness test) is full match scenario; playing against 140kph bowling, reactive movements in the field, (and) whether I can move as well as when I’m 100 per cent or not”
Kohli hasn’t been in good nick in this series but his mere presence is often seen as a motivating force for rest of the players in the team.However, Kohli completely dismissed the fact that his absence could affect the morale of others in the team.
“I’m sure the guys will take it as an opportunity to still take the team ahead. Everyone is really proud and motivated to play for the country”.
“Me playing or not playing shouldn’t make that much of a difference to the other 10 guys because they have a responsibility to fulfil as well.
“I have not done anything special so far but still the guys have fought it out and that’s why we’re the No.1 team in the world.
“We have quality players in the side who want to step up given these opportunities.
“If that happens I’m sure the guys are looking at it as the game-changing game of their lives.”
