New Delhi: India take on Australia in a do-or-die Test at Dharamsala beginning from March 25, the participation of skipper Virat Kohli still hangs in balance. The Indian captain, who had injured his shoulder during the Ranchi Test while fielding, skipped the batting practice on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the fourth and final Test, Kohli said that the rules were the same for all players and he will play the next match only if he is 100% fit.
"I am not different from anyone else. Same process applies for me as it does for all the other members of the team. There is no special treatment for anyone. If I am 100% fit for the game is the only condition that I will take the field. The rules apply for everyone and they are same for everyone," he said.
When asked about the risk of hitting the field in case if he is not fully fit, Kohli replied, "The physio can explain that better. I don't know the magnitude of the risk, but all I know is if I go through the fitness test, then I will take the field."
Kohli added that the decision on his participation in the fourth Test will be taken by tonight or tomorrow.
The series is tied at 1-1 with the winner-takes-all fourth test starting on Saturday.
The 28-year-old was off the field during most of Australia`s first innings in the drawn game but that didn't prevent him from batting at his usual No. 4 spot in the second innings.
Selectors have called young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer as a back up for the injured captain, who hasn't been able to do anything substantial with the bat so far.
While Iyer till now is strictly a cover, one can safely assume that Kohli will try his best to make it to the playing eleven, considering how important it is for him to play this particular game.
Young right hander Iyer has been rewarded for his prolific showing in domestic cricket for Mumbai over the last two seasons.
