Sourav Ganguly feels Virat Kohli should not play unless he is totally fit

Sourav Ganguly feels India should not risk Virat Kohli for the series-deciding fourth Test against Australia if the Indian skipper is not fit as a fiddle. There is a big question mark over Kohli’s fitness for the final Test at Dharamsala. For now, the series is locked at 1-1. Kohli had injured his shoulder during a fielding dive in the Ranchi Test and did not take the field until he walked out to bat at his usual number four spot.

He has since not been a part of training sessions and did not bat at net sessions in Dharamsala. Although he was seen hitting a few balls on the sidelines, he threw only underarm. While most that move could be a precautionary one, Kohli himself said he would take the field on Saturday if only he considered himself completely fit.

Ganguly, speaking to India Today, said a single player cannot make a huge difference in a team sport like cricket. “A fit Virat is very important for India but if he is not fit, I firmly believe he shouldn’t be playing.”

In case Kohli does not play, he will be replaced by Shreyas Iyer, who has been called in as cover. But Ganguly suggested that Tamil Nadu’s Abhinav Mukund should be included as an opener with Murali Vijay at No.3, Cheteshwar Pujara at 4, Ajinkya Rahane at 5 and Karun Nair at 6.

Ganguly said India may not play five bowlers if as the likes of Rahane and Nair have not really fired yet.

Iyer at the domestic level has been an exceptional talent. He also registered a double century against the same Australian team in the warm-up match. The Mumbai youngster also bagged the BCCI awards for the best Ranji batsman in 2015-16. Now is the time for the 22-year-old to prove his mettle at international level.