Virat Kohli out of first two tests against England

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Hyderabad. India has suffered a major blow three days before the start of the five-match Test series against England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Virat Kohli has withdrawn from the first two matches citing personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India itself has given this information.

The BCCI said a replacement would be named soon by the selection committee after Kohli requested to withdraw from the Test matches in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

Also BCCI requested the media and fans to respect the privacy of Virat Kohli.

BCCI said, “Virat Kohli has requested the Board to withdraw from the first two Tests of the upcoming Test series against England citing personal reasons. Virat has spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, team management and selectors.

BCCI respects his decision. The board and team management have extended their support to the star batsman and are confident of the rest of the team delivering a commendable performance in the Test series.”

Kohli played India’s last Test series against South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He missed the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali earlier this month due to personal reasons before playing in the last two matches of the series in Indore and Bengaluru.

In the absence of Kohli in the first two matches, India will rely heavily on middle-order batsmen Shubhman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. KL Rahul, named as the wicketkeeper-batsman, can also play as a specialist batting option.

KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel are the other contenders for the wicketkeeper’s spot in India’s playing eleven.

The upcoming series between India and England will begin on January 25 in Hyderabad. After this, other matches will be held in Visakhapatnam (2-6 February), Rajkot (15-19 February), Ranchi (23-27 February) and Dharamshala (7-11 March).

India are currently second in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship points table behind defending champions Australia with 54.16 PCT. Whereas England is at eighth position in the points table with 15 PCT.

–IANS

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