Team India posted a 106-run win over England in the second Test of the five-match series in Vizag on Monday to level the ongoing series 1-1.
The announcement for the Indian squad for the remaining three Tests are expected to be made within the next 48 hours, with the status of star batsman Virat Kohli unclear after he pulled out of the first two Tests citing personal reasons.
England head coach Brendon McCullum heaped praise on the abilities of the 35-year-old and said that the inclusion of Kohli if the batsman is available for selection for the final three Tests, would improve the Indian squad.
“Virat’s one of the greatest players the game has seen,” McCullum said.
“No doubt it improves this squad. As we have said throughout, the depth of Indian cricket, and the talent in India is immense. So, we respect every opposition player that we come up against,” the former Kiwi opener continued.
“If Virat is coming back we hope everything is well with his family,”
McCullum expressed that the English side will look forward to the challenge of playing the strengthened squad if Kohli decides to make himself available for selection and that succeeding against mighty teams suggests that the team has earned the victory.
“We look forward to that challenge too. He is a great competitor. I know him very well and I enjoyed playing against him, I enjoyed our team playing against him,” the 42-year-old said.
“And if you have success against the best, I am sure you have earned it,” McCullum added.
England picked up a shock win in the opening Test of the series in Hyderabad before India hit back at Vizag to level the series.
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden double ton in the first innings and Shubman Gill’s well-made ton in the second set India up in a good position before star bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s abilities came to the fore to take the hosts over the line.
The third Test of the series is scheduled to take place at Rajkot and will get underway on the 15th of February.
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