Dav Whatmore: Virat Kohli would choose Champions Trophy over IPL

"No one really knows how bad Kohli's shoulder is. As far as I know him, he doesn't want to miss any game. So his shoulder must be really hurting that he didn't play such an important Test," former NCA coach and ex-Australia batsman Whatmore told Cricbuzz, referring to the final Test against Australia.

"He must have also thought that since the Test was a decider, India needed someone who is 100 per cent fit and sat out. With India playing several important tournaments, one of them being Champions Trophy, I don't think he would want to risk his injury by playing a few extra matches for RCB in the IPL.”

Whatmore believes that the Aussies gave a good account of themselves in the Test series which India won 2-1. "Tours of India have always been a challenge. But they played hard and won the first Test to everyone's surprise. India prevailed in the end due to their mental toughness. You need mental strength to save a game or win a game in the second innings.The Aussies were up to it in Pune and Ranchi but they crumbled in the other two. India, on the other hand, fought a little bit longer. 

"The Aussies were up to it in Pune and Ranchi but they crumbled in the other two. India, on the other hand, fought a little bit longer. India have lost the toss thrice in the series and on most occasions, Australia put up a good total. So it has never been easy for India. But either Pujara or Rahul or Vijay showed patience to grind it out.”

The series was marred by controversies and Whatmore praised the way the two boards handled them, particularly the DRS-gate. "Both the BCCI and CA showed good maturity by settling the issue amicably. I believe it was a complete brain fade and Smith admitted his mistake. I don't think it will ever happen again. A lot of Aussies also play in IPL. They know that they have to play in IPL and share the dressing room with some of the Indian players. That might also have mellowed down the players' attitude.”

Whatmore hailed Ravindra Jadeja as India’s best player in the Test series. "He was living in the shadow of R Ashwin all these days. But he has slowly emerged. He has learnt to be more patient. He has got a couple of subtle variations but then his strength has been line and length. A lot of left-arm spinners try out too many things. But Jadeja has been consistent and got the results for the team.”