Virat Kohli asks to be rested for Duleep Trophy final
India’s Test skipper Virat Kohli has reportedly asked for rest for the final of Duleep trophy keeping in mind the long and gruelling home season ahead. The pink ball final is scheduled to be held under lights from September 10-14.
Kohli is coming off a long and hectic four-match Test series in the Caribbean followed by two T20 international against the same opponents at the US. BCCI felt the mainstay of the Indian batting line up should be given rest to prepare himself for the upcoming home season against New Zealand. However, the initial plan was to make Kohli and other senior players play the final and get their feedback on the pink ball initiative.
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Besides Kohli fast bowlers Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also expected to be rested according to reports. The match could still witness some of the biggest names in Indian cricket including Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra turning up at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium.
The tournament acquired some importance after it was decided it would be played with a pink ball and under floodlights. It is the first time in India that a whole tournament has been played under lights and with a pink ball. Inputs from seniors would also help the BCCI to decide whether day-night Test cricket is the way forward.
.@imVkohli just made a kid's day. Gives him an autographed cap, Hi 5 and a smile to take back home #TeamIndiaInUSA pic.twitter.com/6bSphEUh1f
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 26, 2016
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been in scintillating form across all formats scoring heaps of runs against each and every opposition. He has also handled his troops pretty well and in his short captaincy career he has already done certain things which no other captain has done.
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He became the first captain after Mohammed Azharuddin to captain India to a series win in Sri Lanka after 22 years. It was followed by a 3-0 win against the Proteas in home territory. In the recently concluded Test series in West Indies Kohli became the 1st Indian captain to win two Tests in a single tour.
He notched up his maiden Test double century in the Test series against West Indies and the Kiwis would look to come prepared to counter the young sensation. It will be a hard grind for the New Zealand bowlers as India is a very strong team in their home conditions. With a strong and settled lineup and youngsters responding in a terrific fashion, Virat Kohli would look to ensure India start of their long home season in a spanking fashion.