Virat Kohli rested, Murali Vijay not fit: Sandeep Patil

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil announced the team squads for the national tours to Zimbabwe and West Indies. Virat Kohli’s name was missing from the limited overs tour to Zimbabwe. As expected, most of the senior players were rested except MS Dhoni, who will tour with the young team to the African nation.

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The chief selector Sandeep Patil confirmed that Kohli was rested after Indian team’s physiotherapist Patrick Farhart advised the Test skipper to rest after the IPL. Kohli has sustained a split webbing during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sandeep Patil also mentioned that Murali Vijay couldn’t make it to the squad since he was not fit. The reports again came from the physiotherapist, he said. He also added that Ashish Nehra was declared unfit following a hamstring injury. “The report that we got from Patrick Farhart, was that Ashish Nehra was ruled out due to hamstring injury. Murali Vijay was declared not fit for Zimbabwe tour, same with Kohli,” Patil quoted at the press conference that happened after the team was announced.

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Patil and Ajay Shirke announced the teams for the two tour and were then thrown a question as why the veteran players like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh not picked up in the squad. The chief selector quoted that their omission is definitely not a sign for them to retire but the focus of the selection panel was to put emphasis on the future of Indian cricket. He also added that the selectors will be pleased if the veterans continue to perform and they will be glad to welcome them back in the side.

“Selectors have no right to tell anyone to retire. We are looking at future of Indian cricket. We will be happy if they perform and will be happy to get them back,” Patil quoted.