Indian Test captain Virat Kohli said that though the team will miss the services of ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been ruled out of the upcoming South Africa tour, his absence would not decide the three-match Test series which begins on December 26 in Centurion.
Jadeja suffered a forearm injury during the home Test series against New Zealand and missed the second Test in Mumbai. He was subsequently not picked for the South Africa tour as well. This will impact Kohli’s plans of playing five bowlers.
However, Kohli mentioned that while the team will miss Jadeja, his absence will not be a deciding factor in the Test series, given India’s terrific bench strength.
"Jadeja has obviously been a very important player for us. He contributes in all three departments of the game, which is invaluable, especially in overseas conditions. He will obviously be missed. But having said that, we do have quality in the side to be able to create the best combination possible on the field for us and still be in situations or positions to win Test matches,” Kohli said in a presser before the Indian team’s departure for South Africa.
"We have created that kind of bench strength and that kind of environment where people coming in are seizing the opportunity and grabbing it with both hands and making sure that the team is helped by their performances. So as much as we will miss him I don't think that that will be a deciding factor in this series or moving forward," the India skipper added.
India will begin the South Africa Test series in Centurion from December 26, the second Test will be played in Johannesburg from January 3rd and the last Test will be played in Cape Town from January 11 onwards.
(PTI inputs)
