PLAYERS ARE FIT AND DOING WELL FOR THE TEAM: KOHLI

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Virat Kohli said that he wants Rahul to get fit and come back in the form he really use to play the sort of confidance he carries has a too lot of positive energy, he also added that Rahul truly deserves the chances

The players as a team are doing very well and this is the base reason why the team is having the potential to produce result at such a pace which is definitely very much welcomed in the terms of the game 

“We already have a combination in mind”
On team changes for the second Test

We’ll see. We always name 12 anyway in our meetings. If looking at things in the morning, if the wicket sort of changes, or in today’s time some changes are made, then we’ll take a call in the morning. According to what we’ve seen in the wicket, we already have a combination in mind. We’ll discuss those things further when we see the wicket tomorrow morning.

“I feel one of the openers will have to make way”
On KL Rahul’s return to the XI, which is almost a certainty

Obviously, KL [Rahul] has been our established opener. I feel one of the openers will have to make way for KL because, what he’s done in the past two years for us has been very solid, and he deserves to come back and start fresh in Test cricket again. Again, that’s up to discussions. We have a team meeting later on, after practice. We’ll be able to clarify that then, but yes, according to me, KL will definitely come back into the eleven.

“Very important to make him feel secure and he deserves it”
On whether KL Rahul deserves a return to action straight away

It is very important from that point of view specifically because he played the practice game as well and he looked really solid. He has batted really well in the last couple of seasons for us. As I said, it is very important for us to make him feel that this is his spot. And it won’t be changed because of unfortunate events that happen outside of the playing field or the injuries that you can’t control. That phase you have to come back, get stronger. He has really stuck it out in that phase. It’s been hard for him, we all know that, because he was batting so well and then he was out because of this (injury). It is very important to make him feel secure and he deserves it because he has given us those big performances when the team has required the most. He is a guy that needs to be backed and we as a team, as management and me as captain all back him 100%.

“It all depends on who has had a better game” 
On how it’s decided between Dhawan and Abhinav

I feel in a situation like this, you need to sit down and think which player has had more impact on the game. Who has been able to sort of make that difference in the game straight away. It all depends on who has had a better game, to be honest. It’s a pretty thin line, it is a very small margin but unfortunately, that is how the sport goes sometimes and things happen in a team environment, in the dynamics of a team. The guy who sits out will understand the reasons behind it. Not to say that those people are not being backed but it’s whatever the best combination we as a team feel we should take on the field, we back that and we take that call, and it is up to the individuals who are involved in that decision to understand it is for the best interest of the team. Guys are professional enough to know that but I think in a scenario like this, you will always think of a guy who has had more impact on setting up the game or winning the game for the team.

“We don’t like to announce anything a day prior”
On the possibility of playing with three spinners

Surface looks dry? It had a lot of grass on it, so I don’t know which wicket you had a look at. But all kinds of possibilities are there when you have a big squad. We don’t like to announce anything a day prior, it’s sort of a surprise for the opposition. Looking at the conditions, we could go with anyone. Everyone is prepared to take on the field.

“Nice and hard underneath with good covering of grass”
The SSC wicket is a result-oriented one, reckons the Indian skipper

I had a look at the wicket yesterday, I haven’t seen it today yet. Looked pretty nice and hard underneath with good covering of grass. The last time around as well, we thought it was a great wicket for Test cricket. Batsmen had to apply themselves to get runs, bowlers were in the game throughout. It is a wicket that you will get a result on for sure. That excites us, it’s something that we look forward to as a team and this is the kind of wicket that we always like to play on, where we have a chance to make an impact on the game throughout. I really enjoyed playing here last time, and I think it’s a great wicket for Test cricket.

“Always nice to understand what are the things you lack in”
On learnings from the first Test

One thing we need to be aware of is when there is a partnership or something happening, then we need to have more composure and more discipline at times. But as I said, there always will be a few scratches here and there when you are playing Test cricket after March. It is always nice to understand what are the things you lack in and build some momentum as the series progresses. So yesterday’s practice was really good, the guys were hitting their areas really well and I am pretty confident that those areas that we identified in the first game, we will be able to rectify and move ahead and actually improve on those things starting from this game.