On October 10, India played a practice game against Western Australia in preparation for the T20 World Cup that starts in 11 days. Though the close-fought warm-up game was bagged by the Men in Blue, heads turned as Virat Kohli didn’t get playing time during the match.
Off-spinner R Ashwin was inquired by a reporter over the absence of Kohli from the playing eleven, after the conclusion of the game.
Ravi Ashwin gives a savage reply on Kohli not playing in the warm-up game
Kohli the collapse-arrestor was severely missed during the game as India crumbled to 45 for 3 by the seven-over mark.
Talking about the absence of Virat Kohli from the 1st warm-up match, Ravi Ashwin said that his guess wasn’t any better than a layman’s.
Ravi quoted, “I wish I could walk into Rahul Dravid’s shoes one day and answer that question. But as of now, your guess is as good as mine”.
Notably, the offie himself didn’t get to play in the 1st warm-up vs WA eleven as Chahal– his replacement took 2 for fifteen.
The Western Australia XI and the Men in Blue will once again go head to head on October 13th at the WACA, Perth.
If or not Virat Kohli gets active time during the second warm-up remains to be seen.
However, it appears likely that the management will want to test the bench strength for one more game.
The likes of Pant and Deepak Hooda have lacked match practice and hence, it is very likely that Virat Kohli will not take the field in the 2nd and last warm-up game against Aussie state club Western Australia.
Regardless the absence of Ashwin, Kohli and KL Rahul, India had managed to win October 10’s practice game by 13 runs courtesy Suryakumar’s 35-ball-52.
Interestingly, Kohli hasn’t played since his 49*(28) in the 2nd T20I vs South Africa.