Virat Kohli confirms Wriddhiman Saha is fit; backs Ajinkya Rahane ahead of 2nd Test against New Zealand

Mumbai: India captain Virat Kohli on Thursday confirmed that wicket-keeper batter Wriddhiman Saha is "fit" ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin here at Wankhede stadium on December 2.

Saha suffered a stiffness in his neck on day four of the first Test which prevented him to keep the wickets. Subsequently, substitute keeper KS Bharat wore the gloves for India.

However, Saha scored a fighting 61 not out in the second innings which helped India to be in the driver's seat. The first Test was drawn after New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel denied the hosts the last Kiwi wicket.

"As of now Saha is fit. He has recovered from niggle that he had in his neck. He's absolutely fine," Kohli said while addressing the media on the eve of second Test against New Zealand.

During the first Test, Ajinkya Rahane, who captained India in Kohli's absence, struggled with the bat. Both head coach and batting coach Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour accepted that the experienced batsman is suffering from a lean phase. Rahane scored 35 and 4 in the first match.

When asked whether Rahane will be dropped for the second Test, Kohli backed his teammate and said the decision will be taken based on what's best for the team after a collective set of ideas that will be discussed.

"You've to understand the situation of where the team is placed, where individuals stand. At certain stages during the course of a long season you've to communicate well. You've to speak to the individuals and approach them in a way that explains things to them properly and mostly it's been combination whenever we have done changes in the past.

"We've explained to the individuals and they've understood our mindset behind going in with certain combination. It's not a difficult thing to do. There's a collective trust and belief in the group that we're working towards the same vision and along the lines there're ups and downs and we all understand that as cricketers or sports people in general.

"It's never a thing that you can say 'yeah I'm absolutely okay or happy about being told that combination doesn't allow me to play' but that's the dynamic of team sport and at the end of the day we all prioritize the team first and making sure that we take care of individuals along the way. That's something we've done consistently as a Test team we've backed the set of players who've done the job for the Indian cricket team in the last 5-6 years and we'll maintain that they're integral part of the larger scheme of things and the core group of Indian Test team.

"They've always been players on whom we've relied upon on many occasions and they've done the job so it's upon realising and being aware of what's happening and then you find the right space and way to approach people along with the management and coaching staff discussions happen in a very all rounded manner and decisions are taken after a collective set of ideas that come to the table and we all discuss any of the issues that we have to address in the team," Kohli explained.

Moreover, when asked about the Mumbai track, the India captain said that the pitch provides a lot of bounce where all kinds of bowlers and batters can get value for their spells and shots respectively provided they stay disciplined.

"Looks like a typical Wankhede wicket we expected to have. It's nice bounce. There's value for all kinds of bowlers and when you bat well you can get runs as well. It's a great wicket for good cricket. All skill sets are in the play which is a great position to be in because they you know you can utilise your resources - be fast bowlers or spinners - very well and the team that does it better has more chances of winning the Test match.

"Your batsmen can find value in good shots, play well knock as the pitch allows you to do. This is a pitch which demands a lot of discipline but at the same time the rewards of the discipline are much higher as compared to some other venues where spin might be dominant and fast bowlers don't come into play. On Wankhede I don't think that's ever been the case," Kohli signed off. (UNI)