THESE two players will have to bat out of their skin in Virat Kohli’s absence: Sunil Gavaskar

Talks about Virat Kohli's absence for the Test series don't seem to end. With fans from cricket pundints have mixed reactions about the same, now Sunil Gavaskar said that there are two players who will have to shoulder extra responsibilities.

Virat Kohli will be playing only the first of the four Test matches and the Indian captain is scheduled to return home after leading the team in the Adelaide Test, to attend the birth of his first child. 

While reports suggest that vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane would take charge for the reminder of the games, some cricket experts believe that a Kohli-less side might lose the grip over the trophy.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has opined that Rahane, along with Cheteshwar Pujara, will have to shoulder extra responsibilities

"Indian players do tend to raise their game when he is not around. They understand they have to make up for his absence. It’s going to be tough for Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. Both these players have to bat out of their skin. Rahane has occasionally led India and would enjoy the responsibility," said Gavaskar told the Times of India.

Pujara, who was adjudged man-of-the-series when India beat Australia 2-1 in 2018-19, should be allowed to play his natural game, Gavaskar said.

"That’s what got him here. You don’t tamper with a player’s natural aptitude or temperament,” said Gavaskar, who was the first batsman to score 10,000 test runs. Nobody should be telling Pujara how to get runs as long as he is getting the runs and the hundreds. If he is let alone and no pressure is put on him, that’s going to work in India’s favour. He is so rock steady; the others can score around him and play shots," said Gavaskar.