'If Virat Kohli has taken a break...' - Praveen Kumar's bold take on batter's unavailability

Former India National Cricket Team pacer Praveen Kumar has shared his straightforward verdict on the unavailability of the star batsman Virat Kohli in the ongoing five-match home Test series against England National Cricket Team.

Kohli initially pulled out of the first two Tests against England and there were expectations that he would return for the last three matches of the series. However, it didn’t happen and he took a break for the entire Test series.

The batting superstar cited ‘personal reasons’ behind his withdrawal and the BCCI requested the fans not to speculate anything regarding Virat Kohli. After a few days, AB de Villiers revealed that Kohli had pulled out of the series to be with his family he and his wife Anushka Sharma were expecting their second child.

Later, De Villiers issued an apology, saying that he provided a piece of incorrect information and he also said that he didn’t know the exact reason behind Kohli’s withdrawal. However, the news that the South African great broke turned out to be true as Virat Kohli on February 20, Tuesday, announced that he and Anushka were blessed with a baby boy, whom they named Akaay.

Virat Kohli has been playing and performing and giving his service for India continuously – Praveen Kumar

In a conversation with News18 SportsNext, Praveen Kumar was asked to share his views on the unavailability of Kohli for the Test series against England. The former pacer responded that Kohli has been serving India National Cricket Team continuously for the past decade and his absence for one series shouldn’t be questioned. Kumar also asserted that the absence of Kohli opens a spot in the team and young players can get the opportunity to perform for the side.

“Virat Kohli has been playing and performing and giving his service for India continuously for the last 15-16 years. If he has taken a break then there should be no question on it. Youngsters are getting opportunities in his absence and they should deliver good performance,” he said.

Praveen Kumar said – "Virat Kohli has been playing and performing and giving his service for India continuously in last 15-16 years. If he has taken a break and then there should be no question on it". (News18) pic.twitter.com/UDoxC73yJf

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In the absence of Virat Kohli, the young opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal has stepped up big time and delivered consistent as well as stupendous performances. He is currently the highest run-getter in the series as he has slammed 655 runs in 8 innings at an astonishing average of 93.57. He has also smashed two double centuries in the series.

Talking about the IND vs ENG Tests, Rohit Sharma & Co. faced a shocking 28-run loss in the first match in Hyderabad. However, they bounced back strong and won the next three matches on the trot to register yet another Test series win at home.

India National Cricket Team hammered the Three Lions by 106 runs, 434 runs, and 5 wickets in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tests in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi. Defeating Ben Stokes-led side was not as easy as the dominant Indian team made it look. This was the first-ever Test series defeat of the Three Lions under the captaincy of Ben Stokes and the coaching of Brendon McCullum.

Meanwhile, the teams will head to Dharamsala for the fifth and final Test, which is set to be hosted by Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium from March 07.