‘Not tough to replace Bhuvi, Shikhar’

NAGPUR: Having been the most dominant force in international cricket for some time now, pressure will be on India to go for a win in the second Test starting from Friday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. To make the task more challenging, they will be missing two of their key performers – seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and opener Shikhar Dhawan.

Captain Virat Kohli, though, is confident of finding the right people to fill in their shoes. “Not difficult at all (to find their replacements), because we pick a squad keeping in mind all 15 are equipped with what is required to perform at the international level,” said Kohli on the eve of the match.

SQUAD DEPTH

“This kind of scenario where two guys miss out for personal reasons is an opportunity for the guys who get games in these situations. I am not worried at all. Am very confident of the ability of the guys who will step in and they are looking at this as an opportunity to go out and do well for the team which everyone likes to do. I am not bothered. Obviously those two guys have made an impact in a lot of games for us. As I said, it provides an opportunity for others stepping in,” said Kohli.

It remains to be seen what combination the India team would like to go in with. In opener Murali Vijay and pacer Ishant Sharma Kohli does have like-for-like replacements of Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar.

ROOM FOR EXPERIMENT

But, if Kohli chooses to experiment, he has the options of trying out Rohit Sharma in the middle-order and play Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar as the third seamer.

Even if Shankar doesn’t get a chance, Kohli said they are looking to groom him as a back-up for

Hardik Pandya, who has opted out of the series.

Obviously, those two guys have made an impact in a lot of games for us. As I said, it provides an opportunity for others stepping in.

VIRAT KOHLI, On bench strength