Kohli hints at Pandya’s inclusion in Galle Test

TIL Desk Sports/ India skipper Virat Kohli has hinted at Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the playing XI in the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting Wednesday, saying that the all-rounder has a “great chance of playing”.

“We got a guy like Hardik Pandya, who has a knack of picking wickets. He has a great chance of playing as well. That gives us the balance. The extra batsman gives us more solidarity,” said Kohli on the eve of the first Test during the presser.

When asked if Rohit Sharma could open the innings in absence of both the regular openers, the Indian skipper replied in negative and said: “Rohit has never opened in a Test cricket and we don’t see that kind of experiment happening here because we have specialist openers in the team and they will obviously be starting this game.”

The 28-year-old also said that it was unfortunate that after Murali Vijay, KL Rahul was also ruled out of the Galle Test with viral fever. “Rahul is unfortunately down with fever. Luckily, it is not anything serious. So he will get back in a few days,” he said. “KL is a very established player for us, a very solid player. These kinds of scenarios present other players in the team with an opportunity to step up,” he added.