IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Virat Kohli declares, Shardul Thakur out, ‘Decision on Playing XI and Ashwin tomorrow morning’- India skipper Virat Kohli has confirmed that bowling-allrounder Shardul Thakur has been ruled out of the 2nd test at Lord’s with a strain on left hamstring. However, he chose to keep the Playing XI close to his chest and said a decision on whether Ravichandran Ashwin comes back and on the XI will be taken on Thursday morning an hour ahead of the 2nd Test.
“Shardul has a strain on the left hamstring. So, he is not available for selection for 2nd Test. But he should be okay for 3rd Test,” Virat Kohli said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: However, a decision on whether Ravichandran Ashwin or Ishant Sharma will make it to the Playing XI will be taken on the morning of the Tets match at Lord’s depending on the conditions. So far, the wicket is a little dry and hasn’t rained as much to have a lot of moisture. That could see Ravichandran Ashwin making a comeback to Playing XI and play as the 2nd spinner.
“Jadeja has got runs. He makes our batting deeper. As for Shardul, besides bowling, he brings in more batting ability in the lower-order. but I am not too concerned about the batting depth as our lower-order played well in the 1st Test,” Virat Kohli said.
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: However, the Indian skipper reiterated that his preference will be to play with four seamers during the England tour.
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: “We want four seamers or specialist bowlers. That is where we are comfortable in such conditions. But again, it will depend on the conditions and situation as we progress in the series,” he said.
“Moeen is a very talented cricketer. He brings in consistency and he can change the momentum with the bat. We are wary of his skills. We have to be at our best to face him. We have a great mutual respect,” Virat Kohli said of Moeen Ali, his former teammate at RCB.
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: However, Virat Kohli said that he is not too happy with ICC’s decision to dock points from their World Test Championships tally.
“We are not pleased with the two docked points. We were just short by two overs. But that’s how it is. We have to be careful,” Kohli said.