India-Sri Lanka’s first Test match next week will mark a milestone in Indian cricket as the hosts usher in a period of transition in the longest format of the game. For the first time since Virat Kohli stepped down as captain, India will take the field in red-ball cricket, and Rohit Sharma will make his debut as captain in whites.
After the disappointing series defeat on South African soil, the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee dropped four senior players from the team, including Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma, and Wriddhiman Saha.
In the absence of Pujara, Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid will be faced with a major dilemma about who will be India’s new number three in Test cricket. In contention for the role are Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Hanuma Vihari.
Virat Kohli has been suggested by legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar to take up the vacant position as number three. Gavaskar believes the number three position should go to the best batter in the team. Kohli has been batting at number four for Team India in Test matches for almost a decade now.
“Kohli should ideally go at 3. Ricky Ponting is the best batsman you see…he goes at 3. I believe Joe Root will bat at No.3 in the West Indies, where he normally bats at No.4. This is because he is the best batsman in the team. In the event that there is an early wicket, he is capable of handling the new ball and can also increase the tempo of the team. As a result, Kohli at three would be ideal,” Gavaskar said on India Today.
In the absence of Kohli, Vihari was recommended for the position by the cricketer-turned-commentator. “As an alternative, you can look at Hanuma Vihari, who did well in South Africa and showed a lot of courage.” Gavaskar concluded.
Virat Kohli will be playing his 100th Test match against Sri Lanka starting on March 4. Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali will host the match.
