Indian fans can breathe easy.
The speculations regarding Indian captain, Virat Kohli's availability for the remaining part of the third Test against Australia was put to rest on Thursday when BCCI issued a statement saying Kohli's shoulder injury is not serious and he is undergoing required treatment to take the field.
"The BCCI Medical Team confirms that Indian Captain Mr. Virat Kohli is presently undergoing treatment to recuperate from a strain in his right shoulder. Relevant investigations have revealed that there are no serious concerns, which will hamper his speedy recovery from a strain in his right shoulder due to a fall while fielding on Day 1 of the third Test against Australia in Ranchi. He will continue to receive treatment, which will assist him to participate in the rest of the match," read BCCI's statement.
However, it was unclear whether the Indian captain will take the field during Australia's first innings on Friday or will he just come out to bat, when his turn arrives.
India’s fielding coach R Sridhar had earlier said at the end of the first day’s play that the seriousness of Kohli’s shoulder injury will be assessed on Friday morning after the scan reports. Kohli sustained the injury in the 40th over when diving to save a boundary and was off the field for the rest of the day. While as a precautionary measure, he took ice-pack treatment, Sridhar said that Kohli's “scans will be taken later on Thursday and the exact status of the injury will be known on Friday morning”.
"In his intent to save that one run, he stopped the ball and landed on his right shoulder when he rolled over," said Sridhar. "The impact was quite heavy because of the momentum he was carrying"
Kohli left the field clutching his shoulder, leaving deputy Ajinkya Rahane to lead the team in his absence.
Virat Kohli coming out after getting scans done on his shoulder
Australia captain Steve Smith struck a cultured unbeaten century to steer Australia to 299 for four wickets on Thursday, signalling he has put the review controversy at Bengaluru behind him.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Virat Kohli")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}