Leeds. Indian captain Virat Kohli had revealed on the eve of the third Test that he would not change the winning combination. However, Virat Kohli has kept the path open for off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to make a change in the playing XI as the team management has found that the pitch will have less grass in the third Test against England at Headingley. Virat has also said that he sees no reason to change the XI which won against England by 151 runs at Lord’s last week.
Kohli said on the eve of the third Test, “We have no reason to change anything unless people have a problem that we haven’t faced since we finished the last Test. Obviously That you don’t want to disturb the winning combination. Especially when the team has achieved such a phenomenal victory in the second Test.”
However, Kohli also said that India are going to announce an XI and Ashwin might play because of the pitch. He said that the team management will first choose 12 players and then take a decision on Ashwin after looking at the pitch on Wednesday. The captain further said, “As far as Ashwin’s play is concerned, we are quite surprised to see the way the pitch was looking. We have seen a lot of surfaces, but to be honest, I did not expect it to happen. It was thought that there would be a lot of grass in the pitch. But it is not so.
Kohli added, “Anything is possible. We always pick 12 players and then choose the right combination based on the pitch.” If Ashwin is picked, he will be included in the playing XI in place of Ravindra Jadeja. The Indian team can go with four fast bowlers and one spinner. It is difficult for Virat Kohli to field two spinners simultaneously.
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