Virat Kohli is a great leader, says Gilchrist

Kohli is yet to fire in the ongoing series against Australia and Gilchrist said the Indian skipper is due for big runs in the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala, starting Saturday. 

“Kohli is a great leader. He drags his team and his nation with him,” Gilchirst told PTI . “I m fearful Virat Kohli is due for a lot of runs (in Dharamsala),” he said. 

“It has been an exceptional series. (But) both the teams may sit back in the end and think they may have said somethings differently. But we can all move on and I’m glad that it has not escalated to the really nasty scenario in 2008 that dragged on and on,” he said. 

Gilchrist said controversies are integral part of India-Australia cricket rivalry.

Mumbai’s top-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been added to the India squad for the upcoming Test against Australia at Dharamsala. Iyer has been called up as a cover for Virat Kohli, who injured his shoulder during the third Test in Ranchi. 

This comes as a well-deserved reward for his incredible consistency over the past three seasons in the Indian domestic arena. Virat Kohli did a bit of fielding drills on Thursday with the protective bandages around his right shoulder. The India captain was seen throwing underarm but did not take part in any batting practice.