Virat Kohli should bat in Ranchi Test only if required, says Sunil Gavaskar

Virat Kohli should avoid taking part further in the Ranchi Test against Australia cricket team unless India desperately need his batting services, says former India cricket team skipper Sunil Gavaskar.

Sunil Gavaskar feels India skipper Virat Kohli should not bat in the Ranchi Test unless it is absolutely essentially to make sure he did not aggravate his shoulder injury. (Ranchi Test, Day 2 highlights)

India cricket team captain Virat Kohli (left) walks off the field after injuring his shoulder during Day 1 of the third Test vs Australia cricket team in Ranchi (Reuters)

Kohli landed heavily on his shoulder while making a diving stop on the field in the post-lunch session on Day 1. He has kept off the field since then, including the entire second day’s play, although tests overnight revealed it is only a strain.

Virat Kohli Nasty Shoulder Injury against Australia#IndvAus #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/7ao3iYb3GV

— Imran Siddique (@SportsJournoo) March 16, 2017

India finished Day 2 on 120/1, and Kohli can come in at the fall of the next wicket. However, the former India skipper said Kohli should strictly not look to bat at his usual spot.

“I don’t think he should bat at No 4,” Gavaskar told NDTV on Friday. “He should bat only if it is a dire need,” said the former India skipper, who was hopeful the other India batsman can make up for the captain’s absence.

The Ranchi pitch has played far better than the tracks in the first two Tests in Pune and Bangalore, which ended in three and four days respectively. The series is level 1-1.