Gambhir to open in third Test, confirms Kohli
Skipper Virat Kohli has confirmed that Gautam Gambhir will be in the Indian playing XI as a "natural replacement" for Shikhar Dhawan in the third Test. Post that, Kohli also gave a glimpse of what goes on in his mind on the cricket field and the thin line between thinking and over-thinking.
After taking an unassailable 2-0 lead over the New Zealanders in the ongoing series, India alsoclaimed the Numero Uno status in the Test ranking last week. However, the Test saw an injury to opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was a replacement for KL Rahul. Ahead of the the third and final Test, Kohli has revealed that India will field opener Gautam Gambhir as a natural replacement for the injured Dhawan.
In the pre-match press conference, Virat Kohli said, “That's a natural change because of injury to Shikhar Dhawan, natural because he is the third opener in the team.”
Kohli praised India’s bench strength by saying that the ones who come to fill the spot have done reasonably well.
"What happened to Shikhar was not a fitness issue, but a blow on the thumb. We have had injuries, but the good thing is we were able to recognise them early and given them rest. It's a long season ahead and the good thing others have stepped in and taking it as an opportunity (to do well).
Speaking about the lessons that he has learnt from his captaincy stint of the Indian Test Team, the Delhi batsman said, “One thing that stands out in the learning process is how to control a session which is not going your way. How to stop the runs and keep the pressure (on the opposition) when you are not taking wickets? That's very important and something which I have experienced as captain.
"It's a very important time in a Test match, not to go too negative while (at the same time) controlling the runs (of the opposition). It's a thin line, and it's important not to go one-dimensional when things are not going your way."
Kohli has been going through a dip in his form in the whites after his double century against West Indies in Kingston. When asked about his form, Kohli said, “It's not a concern. I don't think over such things, focus on going on to the field, make runs and help the team. I have stopped worrying about such things."
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