Sunil Gavaskar wants Indian batsmen to ensure Virat Kohli gets enough rest to recover

Indian captain Virat Kohli who is also the most important batsman in the team injured his right shoulder during fielding on the first day of the third Test match in Ranchi. He didn’t walk back on the field after the 40th over of Australia’s first innings and has been resting his shoulder since then in the dressing room. Considering his importance for the team former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat should bat in the match only if absolutely necessary.

He was forced to walk off the field which is an unusual sight in itself. Not just the Indian team but the entire country was bothered for the availability of their captain for the remainder of the game and series. Scan reports later in the evening confirmed that it wasn’t a serious injury and kept him in contention to participate in the game.

“Look the injury (of Kohli) may not be very serious. But he is a man who loves to be on the field, and the fact that he was not on the field means that the injury was a little more than what is given out (to be). So, he can rest completely… he can be fit for the next Test,” Gavaskar was quoted by NDTV.

Australia posted 451 in the first innings and Team India will have to bat really well to outscore them and they are off to a decent start as they ended day 2 at 120/1. “Kohli should come into bat only if it is needed, only if it’s a dire situation where India suddenly collapses, don’t have too many runs and need to ensure that the Australians do not take a big lead in the first innings. Then and then only Virat Kohli should come out to bat,” he said.

In a situation where Virat will be risking aggravating his injury further, the other Indian batsmen should step up and make sure his services are not required and that he is able to rest his shoulder another day at least.

“That (Kohli not batting) depends on the other Indian batsmen. It is a good pitch still, there is not much turn, the ball is not seaming or bouncing awkwardly, India will need to bat the whole day tomorrow and that will give Kohli a full day to rest,” said Gavaskar.

The batting great suggested that Ajinkya Rahane should take Virat’s No.4 position with every other batsman moving one place up in the order and share the responsibility amongst them to fill up for the skipper.

“That is what the Indian batsmen should look for tomorrow. Rahane at number 4, Karun Nair at 5, Ashwin and Saha following at 6 and 7. If they bat responsibly, they can bat the whole day tomorrow and that will take India close to the Australian total. At this stage you want to be in a situation where you want to make sure that the Australians don’t take a big first innings lead.” Gavaskar concluded.