Virat Kohli Says MS Dhoni is Still Replacement Keeper
Virat Kohli said Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still on standby and will take the field in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground if something untoward happened to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: January 05, 2015 11:08 am IST
India's new Test skipper Virat Kohli on Monday said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who retired from the longest format of the game after the third Test in Melbourne, is still on standby and will take the field in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) if something untoward happened to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. (Virat Kohli's selection dilemma ahead of SCG Test)
"Dhoni is the second keeper as of now, God forbid something happens to Saha, I can't keep in the game so he obviously has to step in," Kohli said. (Injured Mitchell Johnson replaced by Mitchell Starc in SCG Test)
The skipper, however, stated that there was no injury concern about Saha and he was fit to play in the fourth Test starting on Tuesday. (SCG to honour Phil Hughes with Bronze Plaque)
"There's nothing wrong with Saha but ... something might happen tonight, he might get a stomach bug. Can you guarantee that you will walk out of his room now and not get a twisted ankle?
"Saha is playing ... MS is on standby," added the prolific middle order batsman. (Phil Hughes' family to attend SCG Test)
Dhoni's decision to quit apparently came as a shock to his family members as it is believed that even they did not know about it before he announced it to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). (Why MS Dhoni's absence could hurt India)
Kohli captained the side in the first Test at Adelaide and impressed with his aggressive style. He almost led the team to victory but a batting collapse in the final session cost India dear. (David Warner prepares for emotional return to SCG)