The announcement came out of the blue, just three days before the start of the five-Test series between India and England at Hyderabad from January 25. Virat Kohli will not play the first two Tests due to personal reasons. Only about 10 days back, Kohli had opted out of the first T20I against Afghanistan. But this is a marquee Test series.
“Mr Virat Kohli has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be withdrawn from the first two Tests of the upcoming IDFC First Bank Test series against England, citing personal reasons,” stated the BCCI press release.
It is a personal issue, and Kohli got the nod from his captain Rohit Sharma and the team management. “Virat has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention,” added the release. It went on to say: “The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series.”
A replacement will be named soon. “The BCCI requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons,” said the statement from the board. “The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series. The Men’s Selection Committee will name a replacement soon.”
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Virat Kohli will miss the first 2 Tests against England after the star Indian batter withdrew his name citing personal reasons.#INDvENG #ViratKohli #IndiaVsEngland @CricSubhayan @ThumsUpOfficial pic.twitter.com/jzRf3UrnFK
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 22, 2024
Then again, Kohli is almost irreplaceable. The superstar batsman skipping the first T20I against Afghanistan on January 11 had raised many an eyebrow. As it turned out, he was attending a family function. The reason for Kohli pulling out of the first two Tests will remain unknown until the player comes out with an official version.
During the Australia series in 2020-21, Kohli had returned home after the first Test for the birth of his first child. Ajinkya Rahane was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the team and he, along with then head coach Ravi Shastri, masterminded arguably the greatest comeback story in Indian cricket – from 36 all out in Adelaide to a 2-1 series win Down Under.
In 2017, Kohli was ruled out of the fourth and final Test against Australia in Dharamsala and Rahane guided the team to victory. The current team, however, is a side in transition, especially in batting. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane are no longer part of the squad and in Kohli’s absence, Rohit and KL Rahul will be the only two senior batters available.
Despite the 2021 Covid-bubble series being played on very dicey pitches, Kohli still has 1015 runs at 56.38 from 13 home Tests against England. On Sunday, the England and Wales Cricket Board had announced that Harry Brook would return home due to personal reasons. Kohli pulling out, however, is a far bigger blow to India.
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