'That experience is priceless' - Virat Kohli reckons Pujara-Rahane duo will be crucial for India overseas

The skipper Virat Kohli revealed his opinion on the struggling middle order of India in a press conference ahead of the third Test as he gears up for coming back into the playing XI. Kohli had to miss out on the second Test due to a back spasm and was replaced by Hanuma Vihari in the side who showed promising signs for the future. However, the question remains of the future of Pujara and Rahane who have been under pressure to play a big knock.

The Indian middle-order has averaged around the 20s in the last two years and that has been an area of concern for a long time now. Pujara, Kohli, and Rahane have all been under the scanner for not being to make consistent big scores and they have immense experience under the belt to be struggling for so long. Despite all, the Indian side has kept backing Pujara and Rahane especially, and they did manage to repay the faith to an extent in the second innings of the Wanderers Test in tough conditions with half-centuries.

Virat Kohli expects the middle order transition to happen naturally

Shreyas Iyer and Vihari have been knocking on the doors of the Test side and the extended rope for Rahane and Pujara could come to an end soon if they fail again. Kohli wasn’t much interested in having a transition by a hard conversation with individuals and instead, wanted it to happen naturally in terms of performance. He also felt that the experience of the duo could come in handy overseas and credited for their second innings display.

“Can’t pinpoint about the middle-order transition. It will happen naturally. Jinks [Ajinkya Rahane] and [Cheteshwar] Pujara batted well in the 2nd innings of the last Test. That experience is priceless. When you are playing overseas, these guys will always step up,” the Indian skipper told in the press conference ahead of third Test.

India is expected to make two changes to their lineup with Kohli coming back into the XI and one of Umesh or Ishant will get a look in for the injured Mohammad Siraj. The series is leveled at 1-1 with lots of action awaiting for the third Test in Cape Town.