Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], Mar. 25 : Fast bowler Mohammed Shami and Mumbai top-order batsman Shreyas Iyer have been included in the Indian team for the series-decider Test match against Australia.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee met earlier today to add the duo in the squad for the final Test of the four-match Paytm Test series against Australia.
While the uncertainty surrounding Virat Kohli's availability for the series-deciding Test against Australia continued, the skipper, yesterday, made it clear that he would play the match in Dharamsala only if he is 100 percent fit.
"I am no different from anyone. Same process applies for me as it does for other members in the team. There is no special treatment for anyone and the same rule applies for anyone. I am 100 percent fit for the game is the only condition that I will take the field tomorrow. Risks, yeah, the physio (Australia's Patrick Farhart) can explain that better. I don't know the magnitude of the risk. All I know is that if I get through the fitness test, then I'll take the field," Kohli told the media on the eve of the final Test in Dharamsala.
The 28-year-old sustained the right shoulder injury while putting in a dive on the first day of the drawn third Test in Ranchi.
Although he did take part in that game later, he is yet to fully recover from the injury. On Friday, Kohli did come for the practice session, but skipped batting in the nets at the HPCA stadium, which will make its debut as a Test venue.
Earlier, the national team management had called up young Shreyas Iyer as cover for Kohli. Iyer has enjoyed an impressive run of form in domestic cricket in the last couple of years. He was the leading run-getter in the 2014-15 season of the Ranji Trophy besides also topping the aggregate last season for Mumbai when they finished as runners-up to Gujarat.
The team now is as follows: Virat Kohli (Captain), M. Vijay, K.L. Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, W. Saha (wk), R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami.
Source: ANI
