Bengaluru, Nov. 13 : Terming Gurkeerat Singh Mann as a potential all-rounder for India, Test captain Virat Kohli on Friday said that the latest addition is certainly in the scheme of things for the ongoing Test series against South Africa.
“He is certainly in the mix of things because he has ability with bat. At 6 or 7 position he can be very dangerous because he is an instinctive player and can take away the game from opposition. He is bowling well as well. He has earned his call up into the team,” Kohli said of Gurkeerat on the eve of second Test starting here tomorrow.
Earlier on Thursday, the 25-year-old Punjab player was roped into the Indian squad for the Bengaluru Test. He was also included in the preceding ODI series, which India lost 2-3 against the AB de Villiers-led side.
Gurkeerat has been in a scintillating form lately, scoring half-centuries in successive matches against Australia A and South Africa A besides picking up a five-wicket haul earlier in August.
Subsequently, he had slammed an unbeaten double-hundred against Railways and took a match haul of nine wickets against Andhra in his two Ranji Trophy matches.
“These kinds of cricketers who can bring in balance to the whole combination team are very important in any squad. Don’t be surprised if you see him playing very soon,” Kohli added.
India will look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series after comprehensively defeating South Africa by 108 runs in Mohali. (ANI)