Team India has suffered a significant setback with the news that Virat Kohli, the star batsman, won’t be participating in the first two Tests of the upcoming series against England.
In a significant setback ahead of the crucial five-match Test series against England, India has received unfortunate news as star batsman Virat Kohli has opted out of the initial two Tests. The series is set to kick off with the first Test on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, followed by the second Test in Visakhapatnam starting from February 02.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conveyed that personal reasons have compelled Kohli to miss the opening Tests. The cricketer from Delhi held discussions with captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors, explaining that certain personal matters require his immediate attention. The replacement for the prolific batsman will be announced shortly.
Kohli, who had previously skipped the first T20I against Afghanistan citing personal reasons, later returned for the second and third T20Is. His absence from the initial Tests against England will undoubtedly be a significant loss for Team India. With key players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not in the squad, and now Kohli also unavailable, the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of players such as Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Rahul to step up.
The BCCI, after Kohli communicated his decision to skip the first two Tests starting on January 25, officially announced it on Monday, January 22. The cricket board has acknowledged Kohli’s request and urged fans to respect his decision while also emphasizing the need to maintain his privacy. As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding Kohli’s replacement for the initial two Tests. It remains to be seen whether the return of either Pujara or Rahane becomes a viable option in the absence of the batting maestro.
The former Indian captain has notched up a total of 1991 runs against England. His average stands at an impressive 42.36, backed by five centuries and nine half-centuries. The 2016 home series witnessed a stellar performance from him as he emerged as the top run-scorer in the five Tests. During this period, he accumulated a remarkable 655 runs with an outstanding average of 109.16. Additionally, he recorded two centuries and two half-centuries in his name, showcasing his exceptional cricketing prowess.
With Kohli being absent, the responsibility of spearheading the Indian batting lineup will rest on the experienced shoulders of players like Captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. Additionally, England’s star batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the five-match Test series for personal reasons, as confirmed by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) on January 21. The BCCI is anticipated to reveal the replacement for the first two test matches soon.
Comments 3