IND vs AUS 4th Test: Ashwin's similar injuries on overseas tours is Kohli's major concern

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Skipper Virat Kohli has suggested that the off-spinner should "focus" on course correction

Ace Indian off-spinner R Ashwin hasn’t played a game since his match-winning performance at Adelaide Oval. He suffered abdominal strain after which he had to miss the next two games. On Wednesday he reportedly failed the fitness test in Sydney and is most likely to be dropped from the final match as well.

His fitness has become a huge concern for Indian captain Virat Kohli ahead of the Sydney Test. The worried captain stated that Ashwin’s "similar injuries" on two successive away tours is a cause of concern and the off-spinner should "focus" on course correction.

“Well, it's unfortunate that Ashwin has had two niggles quite similar in the last couple of away tours (England and now Australia). He, more than anyone else, will be focused to correct this,” said Kohli.

“The physio and the trainer have spoken to him in terms of what's required in order to get over that injury. He is very important for sure. In Test cricket, he is a vital part of this team and we want him to be 100 per cent fit and for a longer period so that he can contribute to us more in the Test format," he added.

While Indian team management kept Ashwin in the final 13 and officially announced that a call will be taken on Thursday morning before the start of the match, Kohli made it clear that all is not well with the burly Tamil Nadu off-spinner.

“He (Ashwin) is very disappointed with the fact that he has not been able to recover in time, but the things have been laid out to him (as to) what needs to be done to get back to full fitness. Honestly, you can't predict an injury. When it happens, you just manage and doing what you can to get over that injury,” the skipper said.

Now in the absence of their prime off-spinner on a spin-favouring track, the team management could use Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav as he has also been named in the 13-man squad. However, Kohli hinted that he may hand over the duty of an extra spinner to Hanuma Vihari.

“Ashwin's absence does make you alter plans a little bit throughout the course of a series. But the fact that Hanuma Vihari has bowled beautifully whenever we have given him the ball makes us feel absolutely calm about Ashwin not being able to play,” Kohli said.

“But, if you see the way Vihari has bowled he has looked like picking up a wicket whenever he comes to bowl. He's pitching the ball in the right areas so we are looking at him as a solid bowling option right now.

“Especially in this Test because he has pace on the ball, he puts in the effort, he's economical and that's all you need from a guy who is coming into bowl 10-15 overs in a day,” the skipper reasoned.

India have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after taking an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-Test series. The last and the final match begins from Thursday morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).