Kohli skips nets, Shreyas called as cover

DHARAMSALA: Skipper Virat Kohli’s participation in the fourth and deciding Test match against Australia here hangs in balance even as young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer has been called as cover.

Kohli had suffered a serious right shoulder injury during the Ranchi Test in which he played through pain.

Iyer, who is flying in tomorrow morning, may not be able to reach here on time for the training session which starts at 9:30 am. It is learnt that Kohli’s inclusion in the playing eleven will depend on his fitness test conducted in the morning session.

In fact, the India captain on Thursday skipped batting at the net session, trying to give his shoulder the much needed rest.

While Iyer till now is strictly a cover, one can safely assume that Kohli will try his best to make it to the playing eleven, considering how important it is for him to play this particular game.

Young right hander Iyer has been rewarded for his prolific showing in domestic cricket for Mumbai over the last two seasons.

In fact, the attacking batsman hit a double hundred in the warm-up game against Australia at the CCI Stadium. Even though Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were rested during that match, Iyer’s innings was praised by one and all.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that Mohammed Shami does not have a chance to be picked for the game.

“Shami was with the team in Ranchi also as physio Patrick Farhart is monitoring his progress. He was not named in the squad of 15 for the final Test. Sending him to play Vijay Hazare final was a part of that extensive rehabilitation plan,” a wellinformed source told PTI .

ROHIT, KEDAR JADHAV RULED OUT OF DEODHAR TROPHY

NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma and Kedar Jadhav have been ruled out of the Deodhar Trophy after sustaining injuries.

While Rohit, who was supposed to lead India Blue, suffered a minor knee injury and has been advised rest by the BCCI medical team, Jadhav, representing India Red, has been rested due to a stomach related ailment.

Harbhajan Singh will now lead the India Blue team in the tournament, to be played in Visakhapatnam from March 25-29, a BCCI release said.