Mumbai Test: Virat Kohli confirms KL Rahul, Murali Vijay as openers

New Delhi: Uncertainty surrounding Indian XI for the fourth Test match against England has been more or less resolved with captain Virat Kohli confirming the return of KL Rahul.

Speaking at the pre-match presser, Kohli said that Murali Vijay and Rahul will open for India at Wankhede Stadium.

“There is do doubt that Rahul and Vijay will be opening the batting for us. These two are batsmen who have not batted at any other positions. They will continue to be our specialist openers for the Mumbai Test,” Kohli said.

In the absence of any specialist opener, Parthiv Patel faced the new ball with Vijay, and the wicketkeeper-batsman impressed everyone with his gritty performances.

India won the third Test at Mohali, but player fitness remained an area of concern with more reports emerging pertaining to Vijay and Mohammed Shami.

About Shami's condition, Kohli said that a decision will be taken this evening.

“After the Mohali Test, Shami felt bit of soreness in his knee. We need to take a collective call on that. He has had a history of knee surgeries so don’t want to push him and lose him for the complete season,” he said.

The fourth Test will start tomorrow. India have already taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.