Virat Kohli Should Bat Only If It’s A Dire Situation Where India Suddenly Collapses, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Mar 17, 2017 at 8:02 PM

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Virat Kohli Should Bat Only If It’s A Dire Situation Where India Suddenly Collapses, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that Virat Kohli must be cautious with his shoulder injury and should come out to bat only if it is highly necessary. Kohli did not take the field today after he injured his right shoulder in a fielding goof up on Day 1. The injury saw him stay away from the play in the last session and undergo scans later in the evening. Initially, it was being rumoured that the injury was serious. However, the BCCI came up with an official announcement downplaying any possibilities of the skipper missing the remaining part of the Test.

 

“Look the injury (of Kohli) may not be very serious. But he is a man who loves to be on the field, and the fact that he was not on the field means that the injury was a little more than what is given out (to be). So, he can rest completely… he can be fit for the next Test,” Gavaskar said.

“Kohli should come into bat only if it is needed, only if it’s a dire situation where India suddenly collapses, don’t have too many runs and need to ensure that the Australians do not take a big lead in the first innings. Then and then only Virat Kohli should come out to bat,” he told NDTV.

 

Gavaskar assessed that the Ranchi pitch still is batsman friendly and the Indians must make sure of overhauling Australia’s huge first innings total of 451. He cited that not only this would ensure Australia don’t get a big lead but also give Kohli a much needed time to recover and contribute in a better shape.

 

“That (Kohli not batting) depends on the other Indian batsman. It is a good pitch still, there is not much turn, the ball is not seaming or bouncing awkwardly, India will need to bat the whole day tomorrow and that will give Kohli a full day to rest,” said Gavaskar.

“That is what the Indian batsmen should look for tomorrow. Rahane at number 4, Karun Nair at 5, Ashwin and Saha following at 6 and 7. If they bat responsibly, they can bat the whole day tomorrow and that will take India close to the Australian total. At this stage, you want to be in a situation where you want to make sure that the Australians don’t take a big first innings lead.”

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