Should India play 5 bowlers in Dharamsala Test?

Should India play an extra fast bowler in Dharamsala where the pitches suit pacers?
Will Shreyas Iyer replace an unfit Virat Kohli?

After failing to force a result in the third Test in Ranchi, India will be desperate for a series clinching win against Australia in the fourth and final Test, which starts in Dharamsala on Saturday, March 25.

Victory in the final Test will help India register its seventh successive series win, while reclaiming the Border Gavaskar trophy.

It has not been smooth sailing for India in the series.

Humiliated by a huge 333 run loss in the first Test in Pune, Virat Kohli and his boys bounced back in the Bengaluru Test, winning by 75 runs.

The Indians dominated the Aussies for most part of the Ranchi game, but failed to bowl them out on the final day.

Ravindra Jadeja bowled his heart out, claiming 4/54 in 44 overs in the second innings after taking 5 wickets in the first.

Ravichandran Ashwin continued to disappoint, bagging just 2 wickets in the two innings despite bowling 64 overs in the Test.

Ashwin's form is a matter of concern, but Kohli is unlikely to drop the off-spinner for Jayant Yadav.

What Coach Anil Kumble and Kohli may do is include an extra fast bowler for the series decider in Dharamsala, where the pitches suit pacers more than the spinners.

Sunil Chauhan, the curator at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association which is making its Test debut, says the pitch will be a normal Dharamsala wicket -- fast and bouncy.

'It will behave as it has done naturally here. It will stay fast and bouncy,' Chauhan was quoted as saying by The Times of India. 'Our pitch is one of the most difficult ones for batsmen (when facing fast bowlers) in the Ranji Trophy, and its nature won't be altered.'

Pace spearhead Ishant Sharma took just a single wicket in the Ranchi game, but there is doubt if Mohammed Shami will play the fourth Test.

Though Shami made a good comeback from injury in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final -- where he took 4 wickets for Bengal in a 50 overs game against Tamil Nadu -- the team management let it be known on Friday that the pacer, who is in Dharamsala, is being monitored by physio Patrick Farhart.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is adept at bowling in seamer-friendly conditions like the one in Dharamsala, could now be in contention.

Late on Friday, it was revealed that Kohli's participation in the Test hangs in the balance and young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer has been summoned to Dharamsala as a cover for the skipper.

Kohli suffered a right shoulder injury during the Ranchi Test which he played through pain.

Iyer, who will arrive in Dharamsala on Friday morning, may not reach in time for the training session which starts at 9:30 am.

Kohli's inclusion in the playing eleven will depend on his fitness test conducted in Friday's morning session.

He skipped batting at the net session on Thursday, trying to give his shoulder much needed rest.

One can assume that Kohli will try his best to make it to the playing eleven, considering how important it is for him to play this particular game.

Iyer has been rewarded for his prolific showing in domestic cricket for Mumbai over the last two seasons. The attacking right hander hit a double century in the warm-up game against Australia in Mumbai.

Do you think India should play five bowlers in the Dharamsala Test?

Should Virat play the Test even if he is unfit, considering his importance to the side?

Help Kumble and Kohli pick the playing eleven for the Dharamsala Test.

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