Virat Kohli likely to join the squad for the final Test in Dharamshala – REPORT

Rajkot: Virat Kohli could return to the squad for the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamshala. A BCCI official, on condition of anonymity, told PTI that Kohli, who is on break due to personal commitments, could be back for the all-important match in Dharamshala. Initially, Kohli had been given permission by the BCCI not to be available for the first two Tests. He was expected to return for the third Test but that is not happening. Yes, there is a glimmer of hope that will make it back for the final test.

Kohli is the main batsman of the side and we have already seen the struggles of the middle order in the first two Test matches. If Kohli returns for the final Test, it will be a huge boost for the Indian side.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Rajkot, starting February 15, as he is not yet fully fit. His Karnataka teammate Devdutt Padikkal has been named as a replacement. This is also Paddikal's first call-up for India in Tests. Since there is already no Virat Kohli, Rahul's absence makes things worse for India.

The BCCI dropped Shreyas Iyer for the last three Tests, meaning Gill is the only experienced batsman in the Indian middle order. Rajat Patidar looked solid during his stay in the middle in the second Test, while one of Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Paddikal is set to make his debut in Rajkot.

Selection: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul*, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep