Gavaskar Feels Even Half-Fit Virat Should Play At Trent Bridge

Along with the miserable performance on the field, the Indian fans would also be disappointed to know that captain Virat Kohli remains doubtful for the third Test at Trent Bridge.

Cricket news: Kohli is the only Indian batsman who has fared well against the Brits

Kohli is receiving treatment for an old injury and was seen spending some time off the field during the Lord’s Test, receiving treatment for his lower back sprain.

Kohli is the only Indian batsman to show some character against the top pace bowling attack of the Brits and has scored one century and one half-century so far.

Kohli’s absence in the fragile middle order of India would add more plight to the already struggling batting lineup. This is why former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar feels even a half-fit Kohli should take the field in the do-or-die game.

“Virat Kohli has to assess his injury himself.. whether to take the risk or not… But if I were the captain, I would want Kohli to play even if he’s 50 per cent fit. He’s such a crucial element. He has to play unless he can’t bend or walk. At the end of the day, he has to decide how much pain he can bear. For me Virat has to play,” the 69-year-old legendary opening batsman told India Today.

India lost the first Test by 31 runs despite of fighting hard but all those fight were lost at Lord’s as they succumbed to an innings and 159 runs defeat and are already 0-2 down.

A loss at Nottingham will mean India will lose the five-match Test series with still two Tests remaining at hand and their success story in England will get 11-years older.

Kohli is the highest run-getter from both the sides in this series so far with 240 runs in four innings. Apart from Kohli no other Indian batsmen has scored more than 100 runs.

With the batting department struggling at this moment, Gavaskar feels that the batsmen should hit the nets as early as possible and prepare themselves for the third Test starting from August 18.

“I can understand they have taken the day off today.. they are still licking the wounds of the defeat at Lord’s but they should have been planning to leave for Nottingham after today which would have been the last day of the Lord’s Test and practice from tomorrow,” he said.

“But clearly as we have seen from the start of the ODI series, they are in love with London. You cannot get practice facilities in London as easily as you would in Nottingham – I hope they practice from Tuesday. And there should be no optional practice. Everybody needs to get down to practice There’s no such thing as optional practice when you are 0-2 down.” the former India captain had some strict words for the Indian team.