New Delhi: With India and Australia heading to Dharamasala hoping to swing the fate of the Test series in their favour, Virat Kohli handed hosts a brutal by ruling himself out of the decider unless he magically becomes 100% fit.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the final match Kohli said,”Only if I am 100% fit, will I take the field. The fitness rules apply for everyone. I don’t know the magnitude of risk involved, that can be told by the physio. But if I pass the fitness test then I shall take the field.”
Kohli added that he wanted to be a part of the team but rules are same for everyone. “I want to push myself to be fit but at times you have to understand where your body stands. It’s an impact injury hence I need to give more time. But as a player as captain I want to push myself and play tomorrow.”
Kohli also revealed that at this stage the injury has a chance of getting aggravating while fielding. “While batting there is no problem but it is on the field where I have to be careful as there are chances that it might get aggravated. I have taken medication and it needs a few more hours and then we will take a call.”
Kohli eventually sat out the 4th Test, but thankfully Ajinkya Rahane led the team to an emphatic 8-wicket win, thus claiming the Border-Gavaskar series 2-1.
In the post match presentation, speaking about his recovery from the shoulder niggle, Kohli said he will be back to full fitness in a few weeks.
“It’s still a few weeks to go till I can be 100 per cent on the field. You have to take it in your stride and move forward,” he said.
Considering the IPL season 10 starts on April 5th and Royal Challengers Bangalore – Kohli’s franchise – start their campaign on the first day itself against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the RCB captain has more or less ruled himself out of the initial matches with his statement.
Earlier, former Aussie batsman Brad Hodge had doubted Kohli’s intentions behind skipping the Dharamsala encounter, saying he might be saving himself for the Indian Premier League matches.
While Kohli’s absence didn’t affect India as much, RCB will be hoping to get their skipper fully fit before it gets too late for them to get the maximum out of the 2017 campaign.
Source: Zee News