New Delhi: In a major development in the ongoing India-Australia Test series, Indian cricket board has called up Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer as a cover for skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday.
Iyer is expected to join the team on Friday, the eve of the match which will be played at the backdrop of picturesque Dhauladhar range in Dharamsala.
"It made sense to have a back-up batsman because in case of a contingency it is very difficult to reach a place like Dharamsala," ESPNcricinfo quoted a BCCI source as saying. "We will know more on Virat tomorrow."
The Indian captain hurt his shoulder while trying stop a boundary on the first day Ranchi Test. After missing the rest of the Australian innings, he batted at his usual No. 4 slot and also fielded in the Aussie second innings.
But there's no clarity over his match fitness. In fact, he skipper missed team training on Thursday.
Iyer has been regarded as one the many upcoming Indian batsmen. The 22-year-old was initially named in the India Blue squad for the Deodhar Trophy one-day tournament, which is scheduled to also begin on Saturday in Visakhapatnam.
He had a stellar season in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy. He also smashed a 100 for India A against Bangladesh in a practice match.
But most importantly, the youngster scored an unbeaten double ton against Australia in the practice match ahead of the ongoing series.
