Shreyas Iyer called up to cover injured Virat Kohli
Mumbai's top-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been called up to the Indian squad to cover Virat Kohli, who injured his shoulder during the third Test in Ranchi, for the fourth Test match against Australia at Dharamsala, starting on Saturday. Kohli skipped batting practice on Thursday, as well.
Kohli picked up the injury on the first day of the third Test at Ranchi while putting in a dive in the 40th over of the day. Although Virat Kohli did a few fielding drills in Dharamsala on Thursday (March 23) with protection around his right shoulder, he was also seen throwing the balls underarm in the nets as reported by Cricbuzz. He also did not bat in the nets yesterday and that indicates his shoulder is still in pain.
"It made sense to have a backup batsman because in case of a contingency it is very difficult to reach a place like Dharamsala," an unnamed BCCI source told ESPNcricinfo. "We will know more on Virat tomorrow."
In another way, it has also come as good news for Iyer, who has proved his credentials in the first-class circuit for the second year in a row. He was the highest run-scorer in the 2015 edition of the Ranji Trophy, scoring 1321 runs in Mumbai’s victorious campaign. In the last season, despite Mumbai loss to Gujarat in the final, Iyer's form did not wane and he finished with 725 runs in the season.
Iyer also featured in the India A squad for the practice game against Bangladesh and hit a 91-ball hundred in the drawn affair. In the practice match against Australia, Iyer stole the show by hitting an unbeaten 202.