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Virat Kohli's participation in the fourth and deciding Test match against Australia, in Dharamsala, hangs in balance even as young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer has been included in the team.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee met on Friday and also added fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the Test.
With the high-voltage rubber locked at 1-1, things couldn't have got worse for India as their captain admitted that he is not hundred per cent fit going into the match, with a threat of ‘aggravating the injury in the field’ looming.
The pre-match statement was kind of a giveaway that Kohli's chances of playing are dim in a match where his presence as a leader is required the most. While Kohli the batsman had a nightmare of a series, the absence of a quality batsman like him can prove to be a game-changer unless his replacement Shreyas Iyer fires big time.
Kohli batted in the nets on Friday, but admitted that a call can only be taken by physio Patrick Farhart on Friday evening.
Kohli had suffered a serious right shoulder injury during the Ranchi Test in which he played through pain.
Bengal speedster Shami has been officially included in the Indian Test team with indications that he may replace Ishant Sharma.
Ishant's lack of wickets has been a case of concern for the Indian team throughout the series and Shami's inclusion is considered a welcome move.
Shami recently bowled with a lot of fire for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy grabbing 4 for 26 in the final against Tamil Nadu.
The team is as follows:
Virat Kohli (Captain), M Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, W Saha (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami.