India have been dealt an injury scare during the third Test in Ranchi, with skipper Virat Kohli hurting his throwing arm and spending most of the first day in the changerooms.
Kohli dived to stop a boundary in the 40th over and hurt his right shoulder, jamming it against the hard ground.
Kohli, who had been notably less chatty in the field compared to the preceding Test, came off early in Thursday’s second session and iced his shoulder.
India insist the setback isn’t serious, but Kohli is yet to return to the fray. There is every chance he will not be able to bat in his preferred No.4 position.
“They’ve got to get him right, so he’s able to bat and make runs. That has to be their priority,” Michael Clarke said on Star Sports.
Brett Lee, sitting alongside Clarke, suggested India lost momentum the second Kohli walked off the ground alongside India’s physio Patrick Farhat.
Ajinkya Rahane led the side in the absence of Kohli. The vice-captain struggled to come up with fresh ideas to break a stubborn partnership between Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell.
Kolhi adopted an antagonistic approach in the field during the second Test in Bangalore, where the hosts levelled the series with a 75-run win.
The superstar is yet to fire a shot with the bat in the series, having managed scores of zero and 13 in Pune then 12 and 15 in Bangalore.
Gus O
Guest
Yep. Thank goodness this incisive comment from "Scoopy" Clarke was included in the article. Being right there, on the spot, it is so great that he is taking every opportunity to get the inside knowledge to share with the rest of us. Thanks Captain Scoopy.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I'm pretty sure the exact wording in the law is external blow. Injured because of an external blow - think he is very lucky the umpires consider it that way.
Ted
Guest
I wonder what's going through Kholi's head right now.... opposite captain whom he has been feuding with made a ton .. buggered his shoulder...Maxwell performed...must be feeling a little embarrassed.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
“They’ve got to get him right, so he’s able to bat and make runs. That has to be their priority,” Michael Clarke said on Star Sports. Thanks Clarkey, once captained Australia, now Captain Obvious.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
It has been confirmed that he will be able to bat at his regular position considering it's an external injury.
Fairy
Guest
I don't believe time from the field carries over to a new day's play. He could bat when required. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
AlBo
Guest
AC joint for sure.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Unless the umpires have considered it an external blow - doubt they would have - Kohli will have to wait as long as he has been off the field to bat. So, he went off after almost three hours - meaning he has spent over three hours off the field. If he is back tomorrow, he won't be able to bat until at least midway through the second session, probably a little longer.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Repititive Strain Injury from being such a merchant banker
Tony Tea
Guest
What hits the ground, comes around.
Jameswm
Guest
Let's see if it affects where he bats. Does spending time off the field matter when they come out tomorrow?
Rossy
Roar Rookie
Karma is a funny thing.