Australia vs India 2018: Virat Kohli Defend Out-of-form Indian Openers

The out-of-form Indian openers, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have been a major cause of concern for the Indian team. The openers always play a key role in a Test match and both the openers have led the team down. However, the Indian team captain Virat Kohli has put his weight behind both the batsmen. Both the openers have failed to give a solid start to their team and losing the openers cheaply has made it tough for the middle order batsmen.

Kohli said that team management tries to back the players to give them their best chance. Meanwhile, the Indian team has added Mayank Agarwal to their side. However, the prodigy batsman Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out of the entire tour.

Will Mayank Agarwal get his chance?

Virat Kohli said in the post-match conference, “You just have to keep backing them and tell them that they belong here and they are good enough to perform. It’s not about giving someone individual goals, it just telling them that this is what we require as a team from the openers and this is the role that needs to be fulfilled.

“You know you are against a guy who is bowling a ball at you at a time and then you can get out or you can survive or you can play a big inning or you can’t. I am sure that these guys have figured out what’s gone wrong here in this game especially but obviously, individuals will have to take responsibility”. 

The Indian openers have let the team down as their dismal performance is putting the side on the backfoot. Thus, the opening partnership has been India’s Achilles Heel in the recent past. However, the Indian team could be tempted to give one last opportunity to KL Rahul and Murali as they are familiar with the Australian conditions after playing four innings.

However, with Prithvi Shaw been ruled out, one batsman between KL Rahul and Murali Vijay might get another throw of the dice even if Mayank Agarwal makes his debut in Melbourne. The Boxing Day Test match will take place from 26th December and India will like to find answers to the opening alliance woes.