Samson's aid for Kerala victims, Pant's possible debut and more - Cricket News Today, 17th August 2018

#1 Kohli urges misfiring Indian batsmen to stay in the present

Virat Kohli has called upon his fellow batsmen to take responsibility

There is an increasing speculation that the team management's frequent chop and change policy has resulted in key batsmen losing confidence at the wrong time. When asked if he had sent an ultimatum to his misfiring peers, skipper Kohli dismissed such a line of thought as 'bizarre' and reiterated that his message was to urge them to stay in the present.

Addressing the media ahead of the third Test, Kohli asserted, "We are not thinking whether someone’s career is on the line or what is going to happen to their future. Everyone has had their time in the past; no one can play forever. But that day is not today. We need to focus on this Test and not think about whether someone’s career is on the line. That is quite a bizarre thought to have."

Considering their recent struggles, the captain has also admitted to exploring the option of inducting an extra batsman at Trent Bridge. However, should the surface demand five bowling choices, he called upon his fellow batsmen to take responsibility to put runs on the board.