'Back-up for the all-rounder's spot is very crucial when we travel abroad,' says the skipper. India plan to groom rookie Vijay Shankar as a back-up pace bowling all-rounder with an eye on future overseas tours, skipper Virat Kohli said on the eve of the second test against Sri Lanka beginning in Nagpur on Friday. The hosts rested all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the ongoing three-test series against their neighbours which remains tied after the drawn series opener in Kolkata. With paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar released from the side over personal reasons, the team added 26-year-old Shankar into the squad for the remaining two tests. A middle-order batsman who can bowl medium pace, Shankar could make his international debut on Friday with Kohli sounding impressed with the youngster who has played 32 first class matches.

Source: dna November 23, 2017 12:45 UTC