Iyer called up as cover for Kohli
new delhi — India have called up uncapped batsman Shreyas Iyer for the fourth and final Test against Australia as cover for captain Virat Kohli who has not recovered fully from a shoulder injury.
Kohli damaged his right shoulder when diving to save a boundary on the first day of the penultimate Test in Ranchi and was off the field during most of Australia’s first innings in the drawn game.
The 28-year-old did come out to bat at his usual number four position and took the field for Australia’s second innings. There is no suggestion he has yet been ruled out of the winner-takes-all fourth test in Dharamsala.
“Shreyas Iyer is joining the squad as back-up,” an Indian cricket board (BCCI) source told Reuters.
Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has called Virat Kohli a great leader and said it is time for both the countries to put an end to the ‘cheatgate’ controversy before it turns into infamous 2008 ‘monkeygate’ episode.
Kohli has yet to fire in the ongoing series against Australia and Gilchrist said the Indian skipper is due for big runs in the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala, starting Saturday.
“Kohli is a great leader. He drags his team and his nation with him,” Gilchirst said last night while launching the Indian sandalwood company’s new name ‘Quintis’.
“I’m fearful Virat Kohli is due for a lot of runs (in Dharamsala),” he said. “It has been an exceptional series. (But) both the teams may sit back in the end and think they may have said something differently.
“But we can all move on and I’m glad that it has not escalated to the really nasty scenario in 2008 that dragged on and on,” he said.
Gilchrist said controversies are integral part of India-Australia cricket rivalry. “Everyone was frustrated and that is a part of history between the two teams,” the legendary wicketkeeper batsman said.
“At the end of the day there is a lot of respect between the two teams because they fear each other as opponents. Both the teams are fine competitors.” Gilchrist said just like others he too was surprised by Australia’s performance in the ongoing series. — Reuters/PTI