Virat Kohli hints at including Mohammed Shami in India squad for Dharamsala Test

Ranchi, March 21: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday (March 20) gave indications that fit-again Mohammed Shami might be recalled into the squad for the fourth and final Test against Australia in Dharamsala.

Photos; Series schedule

Shami, who was ruled out of the India squad due to injury, got four wickets for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare final against Tamil Nadu on Monday (March 20). Shami bowled with a lot of fire on a placid Kotla pitch.

"We sent him to play, wanted to give him match practice. I've not spoken to selectors but all kinds of possibility approaching the next Test," Kohli told media persons during post match press conference.

Indian pacers bowled with discipline but they couldn't succeed in getting wickets against Australia and this could be a reason for Kohli showing interest in his most trusted speedster, Shami.

Dharamasala track is expected to favour pacers and this could also a reason why Kohli is thinking about keeping more bowling options. The fourth and deciding Test match between the two side starts on March 25. The series is up for grabs as it is levelled 1-1.

Australia's middle-order batsmen Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb saved their side from losing the third Test as they showed resilience and played for a draw.

The hosts got into a winning position on fifth and final day of the Test match, but it was their excellent batting that forced the draw.

"We got ourselves into a very good position," Kohli said after the match.

"Losing the toss here was never easy. Not being able to take the field and watching the opposition get big runs was difficult. But we batted beautifully.

"We didn't expect a 150-run lead. Yesterday two wickets, we thought we had a good chance, but credit to the two batsmen, they batted really well. Guys want to push the barrier, their physical limits, their mental toughness," he added.

"Credit to Australia for playing out the draw, but we played ourselves into a position where we could win."

Marsh and Handscomb stitched together a 124-run partnership for the fifth wicket after India went into the lunch break with their tails up as the tourists were tottering at 83/4. The visitors finally ended the day on 204/6.

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