On the eve of the fourth Test, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli clarified any doubts regarding the opening pair for the fourth Test, saying Murali Vijay and KL Rahul will face the new-ball.
There has been much uncertainty around the top of the batting order for India due to Rahul’s hamstring injury.
The Indian team has used three different opening combinations in as many Tests in the series against England so far.
In the first Test at Rajkot, Gautam Gambhir opened with Rahul sitting out due to injury, before the Karnataka batsman took back his place for the second Test at Vizag. But Rahul aggravated his injury during the encounter, which meant that he was forced to miss the third Test at Mohali.
With Gambhir released from the squad and no specialist opener to go back to, the Indian think-tank used wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel – playing his first Test in over eight years – as a makeshift opener.
Patel did well in the role, scoring 42 and 67 not out, but Kohli confirmed further change in Mumbai.
In 83-years International Cricket in India, first time India will be playing an International game without a Mumbaikar in Mumbai. #INDvENG
— Sampath 🏏 (@SAMPATHB24) December 7, 2016
“There is do doubt that Rahul and Vijay will be opening the batting for us. These two are batsmen who have not batted at any other positions. They will continue to be our specialist openers for the Mumbai Test,” said Kohli.
The Indian captain further added that Mohammed Shami was a doubt for the Test as he is yet to fully recover from a sore knee. Mumbai fast bowler Shardul Thakur has already been added into the squad as a back-up to Shami.
“After the Mohali Test, Shami felt bit of soreness in his knee. We need to take a collective call on that. He has had a history of knee surgeries so don’t want to push him and lose him for the complete season,” added Kohli.
Leading 2-0 in the seres, India will wrap up the series if they avoid defeat in Mumbai.
