Indian skipper Virat Kohli has revealed that they will pick their playing XI after looking at the final pitch.
Kohli feels there is no need to alter the winning combination but admitted that the final call will be taken after having a look at the final pitch. In fact, the Indian skipper was a tad surprised by looking at the pitch as there is not much grass on the track, which Kohli expected.
Thus, there could be a chance that Ravichandran Ashwin might make a comeback in the final XI. Ravindra Jadeja has gone wicketless in the first two Test matches but he has been in the form of his life with the bat.
On the other hand, Shardul Thakur is also fit to play after recuperating from the hamstring injury. Ergo, it will be interesting to note India’s playing combination for the Leeds Test.
“We have no reason to change anything, unless people have niggles which we have not encountered since we finished the last Test. You do not want to disturb the winning combination, especially when the team achieved such an incredible win in the second Test,” Kohli said in the pre-match press conference.
“As far as Ashwin is concerned we are quite surprised to see the pitch the way it was. We could see a lot of surface which honestly I did not expect would be the case.
I thought there would be a lot of grass on the pitch. It will be more spicy and lively. But it won’t be the case. “So, anything is possible, we name a 12 and on the day, we have a look at the pitch, accordingly, we will go in with the right combination,” he added.
Meanwhile, Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been brilliant for the team in the first two Test matches as they have given perfect starts to the team.
The duo added 97 runs in the first innings of the Trent Bridge Test whereas they had put together 126 runs in the first essay of the second Test at Lord’s.
“The opening combination, when you are playing overseas, is one of the most important factors. So the way KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have played, has been outstanding and we hope that they continue in the same manner because opening partnerships in overseas conditions is crucial.
To set out the right platform from where the team can build on and that is what they provided us in both the Tests so that is definitely a big boost for us,” Kohli said.
