India vs England 2021: ‘There are no compromises’ – Virat Kohli expresses disappointment over Varun Chakravarthy failing fitness test for second time

India vs England 2021: ‘There are no compromises’ – Virat Kohli expresses disappointment over Varun Chakravarthy failing fitness test for second time

Varun Chakravarthy and Virat Kohli

Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy

Indian captain Virat Kohli is known for his work ethic and introducing the same in the Indian team. It is under his leadership that the team is giving extra attention to fitness and it is paying dividends on the field. Kohli has expressed his disappointment over Varun Chakravarthy failing BCCI’s mandatory fitness test twice in a row.

Chakravarthy, who made a name for himself in IPL 2020 received his maiden call-up during the Australia tour. But a shoulder injury saw him replaced by T Natarajan. The spinner was once again selected for the T20I series against England. However, he has spilled the opportunity after failing to pass the fitness test twice. Kohli asserts that players have to understand the level of the national team and gear up accordingly.

“Individuals have to understand the system that has been created for the Indian team. You have to operate at very high levels of fitness. You’d expect players to abide by what’s required for team India. There are no compromises,” Kohli said in a virtual press conference.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s return not on the cards

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin

India are currently facing a selection headache in the shortest format of the game. With an abundance of options, the team management are in for a tough call regarding the openers for the series. All three, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, have been in top form lately. The return of Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan’s call-up to the side meant Rahul will no longer be playing in the middle-order

Confirming the openers for tomorrow, “It’s quite simple, KL and Rohit have been performing at the top of the order for us and those two would start. And if Rohit takes rest or KL has a niggle or something Shikki (Shikhar Dhawan) obviously comes back as a third opener. The starting composition, Rohit and Rahul will start,” he added.

Kohli also spoke about how it would be difficult to have Ravichandran Ashwin back in the squad due to Washington Sundar‘s form. “Washington Sundar has been doing really well for us, and it is difficult to have two players similar. Unless Washi has a horrible season which is not possible, you need to have some logic in the question as well. Easy to ask,” Kohli said.

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