Virat Kohli has reportedly been withdrawn from the final Test of Australia’s four-match tour of India.
Ajinkya Rahane will captain India in Kohli’s absence. Shreyas Iyer will make his Test debut for India as Kohli’s replacement.
Kohli was given until the last minuet to prove his fitness, but the hosts’ skipper is restricted by the shoulder injury he suffered during the third Test.
Steve Smith called correctly for the third time in the four-Test series and opted to bat on a pitch that should offer pacemen Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar some early assistance.
“There is a bit of a grass … could be more bounce than on some of the earlier pitches,” Smith said.
Australia named an unchanged XI as expected, while the hosts called up debutant left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and swing specialist Kumar in place of Kohli and veteran quick Ishant Sharma.
“He is not 100 per cent fit so that’s why he opted out,” stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane said of Kohli.
“It’s a very good track.”
Rahane, who became India’s 33rd Test captain, admitted he was also keen to bat first.
Kohli failed to fire a shot with the bat in the series, but the tourists were rightly wary about his potential to produce a match-winning innings when it mattered most.
The absence of Kohli’s leadership, aggression in the field and tactical mind will also boost Australia’s bid for their second Test series win in India since 1969.
Australia XI: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India XI: KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
With AAP.
Don Freo
Guest
Looks good to me.
nick
Guest
my god man. The view is incredible for this venue and you're worried about some corporate boffins' ticket sales. You are truly everything that is wrong with the world. Just enjoy the game buddy and forget the revenues for a minute.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I would say its really risky to take a player into a test match with an existing injury. If Kohli were to aggravate it then they not only lose a batsman they can't replace him in the field,
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Due to losing the TOSS, India got 10 wickets in the First day, they need to take another 10 in the remaining 4 days.
Bring Back...?
Guest
After being 1/134, the scorecard looks terrible.
doogs
Guest
True. But how much do the Asians average outside of Asia. Give it a google mate
doogs
Guest
lol onya Basil. Go Aussies
Mal
Guest
Like Shami.
Mal
Guest
Kuldeep can bat.
Jameswm
Guest
The scorecard shows he got a half century.
Jameswm
Guest
One innings
saul
Guest
Yes Really how many did he just score
Basil
Guest
Got it in one doogs. Just thought I'd adapt the pro-Indian Cricinfo type mentality in reverse.
vrx
Guest
Did you just have a go at Shaun Marsh? Really?
saul
Guest
Just look at the mountains in the background it's cricket meets Lord of the rings
saul
Guest
Yes he Is a good batsmen but opening against India or England is completely different to facing Bangladesh and Pakistan. I don't care if he gets one big score in a series his performance needs consistency throughout all the games. His shots so far have been a little bit unconvincing has he had much of a partnership this series it's my understanding he has been getting out after fifteen balls. he only averages 30 in Asia according to the TV, in comparison fifty in Australia. It's the big matches that count India, England.
doogs
Guest
I think he is genuinely injured and you were probably being ironic, Basil. But that is a good point. Who the hell do we poke fun at now. I'm at a loss
doogs
Guest
he has not had a great series for sure. But he has had some very handy opening partnerships with Renshaw. I invite you to do some research and see how well batsmen perform at home and away. Warner is hardly some new revelation. There has been a fairly relentless campaign to get rid of him , even though he has worked so hard to present a good attitude, he averages 48 in test cricket, is Vice Captain and is normally a gun fieldsman (yes, not in the second test). I know my words won't mean anything to those who want him out, but I thought I would mention it anyway.
doogs
Guest
I would rather he play as well. He has been super obnoxious this series. To a new level. But I love how competitive he is. Despite his woeful batting form in this series he really brings an aura to the team.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
Dropped first ball Warner.