Captain Kohli wants Cheteshwar Pujara to open in the final Test against Sri Lanka

Captain Kohli wants Cheteshwar Pujara to open in the final Test against Sri Lanka: Cheteshwar Pujara might get a chance to open the innings for India in the 3^rd and final Test match against Sri Lanka starting 28^thAugust according to some media reports, after Murali Vijay was ruled out of the remaining series following the reappearance of the forgoing injury in his right hamstring.

“Vijay has sustained mild reoccurrence on his pre-existing injury in his right hamstring and would need further strength training to recover completely,” a BCCI release said.

Pujara’s repetitive failure with the bat may eventually led to his absence from the Test team. He was once dubbed as ‘the Wall’, Rahul Dravid’s successor, but his recent form has put a question mark on his abilities against the moving ball.

Speculations were ripe that Pujara could replace Rohit Sharma in the 2^nd Test at Colombo, but the focus was titled after Rahane’s century at No.3.

After both the opening batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay out of the squad following an injury, Captain Virat Kohli has declared that Cheteshwar Pujara will open the last Test alongside KL Rahul.

“If Pujara is asked to open in the next game because the team demands him to do so. He is pretty happy to do it. That kind of belief or that kind of trust we need to have as teammates or management. Whatever is happening is in the best interests of the team. I certainly believe that you need to play the best XI possible for A particular game. And play guys at positions that will give you the best chance of winning a Test match,” Virat Kohli said.

“Our main aim is to win a Test match and for that if someone has to chip in for one game and then miss out for the next it is understandable that whatever is done is for the betterment of the team,” Kohli said.

After Kohli’s gamble in the last match of switching Rohit Sharma’s No.3 position with Ajinkya Rahane paid off the Test captain said flexibility will be a significant recipe of winning the series.

“Shuffling, chipping and changing, cutting and changing, I don’t really mind doing that, speaking along with the management. Eventually what you want to do is win a Test match. That should be your ultimate aim,” Kohli added.

“Someone like Pujara if he has to step in for the next game and miss out for the next, he will understand that it is the situation that demands for him to do so. And we need that balance in the next game, which he will provide if he opens for us in one-odd Test match. That’s an understandable thing as a professional athlete,” Kohli said.