Adelaide, Dec 8:
Virat Kohli will lead India for the first time in Tests after regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out due to injury even as a fit-again Michael Clarke was confirmed Australia’s captain for what promises to be an emotional opening Test starting here tomorrow.
“Yes, I will be leading tomorrow,” Kohli said in the pre-match press conference.
Dhoni, who joined the squad on Saturday, has failed to recover from a thumb injury. The 33-year-old was originally ruled out of the opening Test but came back in contention after the schedule of the series was rejigged following Phillip Hughes’ tragic death.
Kohli, who recently led India to an ODI whitewash over Sri Lanka at home, will be in-charge of the team for the first time in the five-day format.
In the Australian camp, the morale of the team was lifted with the inspirational Clarke declared fit for the match after recovering from a hamstring injury.
“It’s a huge boost to have him back in and playing for us and with his captaincy,” pacer Mitchell Johnson said. (PTI)
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