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Virat Kohli says Ravindra Jadeja can replace Hardik Pandya if need arises

The Delhi batsman also said that he is happy with the current team’s combination.

Virat Kohli says Ravindra Jadeja can replace Hardik Pandya if need arises

Indian bowler Khaleel Ahmed (L) celebrates with teammates Ravindra Jadeja (C) and captain Virat Kohli. (Photo: AFP)

Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Friday, January 11, said the team is not worried about the possibility of a ban on all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his “inappropriate” comments on women during a talk show which sparked a major controversy in media. Kohli also explained that spin-all rounder Ravindra Jadeja can take Pandya’s place in India’s playing XI if needed.

Virat Kohli-led Team India will play the first match of the three-match One Day International series on Saturday at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

“We played in India against the West Indies with a finger spinner and a wrist spinner. So it’s good that we have someone like Jadeja who can do the all-rounder’s role if a scenario like that occurs,” Virat Kohli was quoted as saying in the press conference on the eve of the first ODI.

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Kohli added, “So we are not too stressed as a team (about the Pandya situation) because you’ll always have things that you can do in terms of creating that balance for the side. And hence, we keep players who can provide balance with bat and ball as a backup anyway.”

The 30-year-old Indian skipper also distanced his team from the controversial comments made by all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya are facing the prospect of being banned for a couple of matches.

“I don’t think we will have too much of trouble if we have to change our combinations. We are pretty comfortable as a side and any combination that we go in with,” Kohli said.

The Delhi batsman also said that he is happy with the current team’s combination.

“The fact we have not many games left before the World Cup and hence we want to play the side that more or less will feature in the World Cup. The exceptional case of Jasprit Bumrah being rested is purely because of the workload in the Test series.”

“But apart from that I don’t think combination-wise we are going to look to tinker too much,” the Indian skipper said.

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