Sri Lanka vs India 2015: Cheteshwar Pujara to open in the final Test

Pujara in final Test’s playing XI

Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has confirmed in the press conference after India successfully levelled the 3-match series against Sri Lanka that Cheteshwar Pujara will open the batting in the final Test match, reports Cricbuzz. He said Pujara will open the innings with KL Rahul because the conditions in Sri Lanka suits him.

Opener Murali Vijay will be missing the third Test because of the hamstring injury and to replace him, Karun Nair was called up to the Indian squad.

"Looking at these conditions the reason behind getting Nair is we can have Pujara opening. He's done it before in these conditions. The idea is to have Pujara open with Rahul since it's only one Test. He's done it in the past and I'm confident he can do it in the next Test," Virat Kohli said.

Kohli praised Pujara saying he has a humble attitude and he understands when he'll get a call and when he has to sit out. Besides him, he also talked about Ajinkya Rahane's flexibility and the manner in which he fits in every batting position.

"When there is the demand for Pujara to open in the next Test, he's happy to do it. I firmly believe that we need to play the best eleven to win. Chopping and changing, I don't mind so much. Someone like Pujara will understand if he has to open for just one Test and then maybe sit out for the next. As professional sportsmen you understand the reasoning. We'll try to stick to the same batting order for the next match. We know that Rahane can bat at number three, five or six. Rohit is capable of batting at five. Good to have flexibility," Kohli added.

The idea is to have Pujara open with Rahul, since it's only one test. That's the reason behind getting Karun Nair: Kohli. #CricbuzzCup

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 24, 2015

Someone like Pujara will understand if he has to open for just one Test and then maybe sit out for the next: Virat Kohli. #CricbuzzCup

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 24, 2015

Before this, India defeated Sri Lanka by 278 runs to level the series by 3-match series by 1-1 in the second Test at the P Sara Stadium in Colombo.