Virat Kohli out of Dharamsala Test
BCCI
Virat Kohli has failed to prove his match fitness and has been excluded from the playing XI for the fourth and final Test, starting today in Dharamsala. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav have been given the nod by stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane for the all-important match against Australia.
Kohli underwent a fitness test last night, but Rahane pointed out during the toss that he was not 100% fit to play the game. However, the inclusion of a bowler instead of a batsman is surprising as the Indian management decided to hand a debut to left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has been impressive in the limited chances that he has got in the domestic arena.
India have also brought in Bhuvneshwar Kumar to replace Ishant Sharma, a decision that might stem from the fact that the high altitude of Dharamsala
India (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav
Australia (Playing XI): Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
