By: Tarish Bhatt
The Indian captain Virat Kohli failed the fitness test, and got sidelined for the series decider in Dharamshala. Ajinkya Rahane went for the toss, and became the 33rd Test captain of the Indian Cricket Team.
Kohli had already stated in the press conference that his availability will entirely depend upon the fitness test. Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, replaced him in the playing XI, and got his maiden Test cap.
Read More: Virat Kohli’s Fitness Really a Concern?
The Indians made one more change from the last game. They replaced Ishant Sharma with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Mohammed Shami failed to make the cut. Australia, meanwhile, remained unchanged from Ranchi.
“This is a very good track, this will remain good for batting for the first two-three days,” Rahane said at the toss. “We are playing five bowlers so we need to get two-three early wickets.”
Read More: Character of Dharamshala Pitch May Change
India Playing XI: KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and Umesh Yadav
Australia Playing XI: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Patt Cummins, Steven O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood
