Massive Shock for India as Virat Kohli confirms his unavailability in the entire Test series against England
Virat Kohli, who opted out of the first two Tests against England citing personal reasons, informed the selectors about his unavailability in the entire Test series on Friday.
He was expected to return for the remaining three Tests but will now be missing the entire series for personal reasons. The Indian team for the remaining three Tests is expected to be announced shortly and there are a lot of speculations regarding the team that will be announced.
India and England are clashing against each other in a five-match Test series, which is currently leveled 1-1. England won the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs and after that, the second Test was played in Vizag where Jasprit Bumrah gave a brilliant performance with the ball picking nine wickets in the match and helping India win the Test match by 106 runs. The third Test of the series will commence on Thursday, February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
Apart from Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer is also doubtful for the third Test due to injury concerns and might miss the match. However, the positive for India is that KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the second Test because of pain in their right quadriceps and hamstring injury respectively are expected to return for the third Test. The two of them are recovering well from their injury at the NCA in Bengaluru.
Virat Kohli’s RCB teammate Akash Deep is also set to be included in the squad replacing Avesh Khan after he performed brilliantly in the unofficial Test series between India A and England Lions.
However, given the spin-friendly conditions in the sub-continent, a Test debut for him is a bit far-fetched. Rajat Patidar has been the only debutant for India in this series as of now but the remaining three Tests can see a few more players making their Test debut.
Virat Kohli Will Be Back In Cricketing Action In The IPL 2024
After announcing that he will be missing the entire Test series against England, it is sure that the latest Virat Kohli can return to cricketing action is in the IPL 2024.
He will be representing his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and will attempt to win his first IPL trophy with the Bengaluru-based franchise. This will be the 17th season of the IPL and the 17th season for Virat Kohli in Royal Challengers Bangalore as he was drafted by RCB in the inaugural season in 2008.
Meanwhile, the third Test between India and England will commence on February 15 in Rajkot. The five-match series is levelled at 1-1 and the third game is a good opportunity for both sides to take the lead in this series.
The hosts lost the first Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad but made a terrific comeback in the second Test in Vizag, winning by 106 runs.
India has not lost a Test series at home since 2012 and has won 16 consecutive Test series since the defeat against England in 2012 when they were beaten by the Alastair Cook-led side 1-2 in the four-match series. They are looking to win this series against England to maintain their unbeaten streak and take it to 17.
