Virat Kohli out of Dharamsala Test

Kohli underwent a fitness test last night, but Rahane pointed out during the  toss that he was not 100% fit to play the game. However, the inclusion of a bowler instead of a batsman is surprising as the Indian management decided to hand a debut to left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has been impressive in the limited chances that he has got in the domestic arena. 

India have also brought in Bhuvneshwar Kumar to replace  Ishant Sharma, a decision that might stem from the fact that the high altitude of Dharamsala favours the swing bowlers. 

India (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav

Australia (Playing XI): Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood