Virat Kohli Sidelined For Remaining England Tests

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially declared that Virat Kohli, the prominent batsman, will be excluded from the final three matches of the ongoing five-match home Test series against England. This absence is attributed to personal reasons, and the BCCI has expressed its full support for Kohli’s decision.

In an official statement, the BCCI emphasized its commitment to respecting and endorsing Kohli’s choice, marking a departure for the former captain who withdrew from participating in the initial two tests before the series commenced, citing personal reasons as well.

Read more: Virat Kohli Withdraws From Initial Two England Tests

This development is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first instance in Virat Kohli’s illustrious career that he will be absent for an entire series on home turf. Kohli, a 35-year-old batter with an impressive record of nearly 9,000 runs in 113 Test matches, has been a consistent presence in the Indian squad, making his absence a significant talking point in cricket circles.

The upcoming third Test is scheduled to be held in Rajkot, starting from Thursday, followed by matches in Ranchi and Dharamsala. Kohli’s absence will undoubtedly have an impact on the dynamics of the team, as his leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in India’s cricketing success.

In response to Kohli’s unavailability, the BCCI has announced a 17-man squad for the remaining three Tests. This lineup includes the return of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom missed the second match due to injuries. However, their participation is contingent upon receiving clearance from the medical team regarding their fitness.

Notably, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been omitted from the squad amid reports of a back problem. The selectors have also opted to retain speedster Jasprit Bumrah, resisting the temptation to rest him despite his injury-related absence last year.

Adding to the bowling options, Mohammed Siraj has been included in the squad after sitting out the previous game, while Akash Deep, a promising pacer, has earned his maiden Test call-up. These squad changes reflect the selectors’ strategic decisions to reinforce the team’s composition for the remaining matches against England.

In summary, Virat Kohli’s unexpected absence due to personal reasons has prompted a significant reshuffle in the Indian squad for the remaining Tests, introducing a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers to maintain the team’s competitive edge in the series.