COLOMBO: Whether it’s Shikhar Dhawan or Abhinav Mukund, whoever opens alongside KL Rahul in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle should treat this as an opportunity rather than feel the pressure to perform.

The skipper termed regular Test opener Murali Vijay’s wrist injury as “unfortunate” but also praised his players being honest about their fitness status.

“Every player comes to the team wanting to perform. Injuries are unfortunate part of sport. Vijay was back from rehab and played a game and told selectors he was not match fit. That is the kind of culture being created. People are honest,” Kohli said during his arrival media conference.

“Abhinav (Mukund) is there, he has played lot of domestic cricket. Shikhar got a hundred here last time and then he had to miss couple of games.

“(Cheteshwar) Pujara opened in the last Test (in Dharamsala). So guys are looking these scenarios as opportunities rather than getting under pressure. I am sure they are going to be up for it,” said Kohli admitting that the team will have to make a mental change from white ball to red ball cricket.

Sri Lanka are a team in transition but Kohli expects them to put up more than a fight.

“We know we have to work very hard. You have to respect the game. You have to be professional,” said Kohli when asked what it takes to be the number one Test side.

Sri Lanka senior spinner Rangana Herath took 15 wickets in the last series two years with seven of them coming in the victorious Galle Test.

“He is such a good bowler. If you don’t find a solution to tackle him, then he will do what he did at Galle. You have to stay a step ahead of the opposition and find ways to counter it. If mistakes happen consistently and then you are not improving as a side,” Kohli stated.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2017