Virat Kohli set to return to team India for the 4th and 5th Test vs England

Updated - 09 Feb 2024, 01:40 PM

Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: Twitter

Virat Kohli will be missing the third Test against England as well which will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. He opted out of the first two Tests citing personal reasons whereas he has yet to make himself available. However, the window for Virat Kohli’s return in the fourth and fifth Tests is open and he would be back in the squad whenever he feels ready to play.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has shown great progress in his rehabilitation and recovery from the hamstring injury he got during the first Test and he is expected to return for the third Test which will be played at his home ground in Rajkot. The squad for the third Test will be announced soon and it is expected to be somewhat similar to what the first two Tests’ squad looked like. Virat Kohli has flown to England with his family due to personal reasons but he could be back in the squad for the last two Tests which are scheduled in Ranchi and Dharamsala.

Ravindra Jadeja picked up a hamstring injury during the first Test which was played in Hyderabad. He was the hero for India in the first innings with both bat and ball as he took three wickets and then scored 87 runs. He is currently the No.1 Test all-rounder in the ICC rankings and can be a valuable asset for India in the rest of the series hence, he is fast-tracking his recovery at the NCA to be fit again and be available for the third Test.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli missing the third Test is a huge blow for India. “Virat will decide when he wants to make a comeback to the Indian side. He hasn’t informed us till now but whenever he decides to play, he will be included in the team,” a BCCI official said.

Also Read: “Virat Kohli has batted on ordinary wickets”- Aaron Finch

Virat Kohli Is Expecting The Birth Of His Second Child

Virat Kohli’s former RCB teammate AB de Villiers recently revealed Virat’s reason to miss the matches against England in the ongoing Test series. On his YouTube channel he said, “Yes, his second child is on the way. It’s family time and things are important to him… I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. He has made absolutely the right decision.”

The five-match Test series between England and India is currently levelled at 1-1 as the hosts lost the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs but made a spectacular comeback in Vizag by defeating England by a huge margin of 106 runs. The third Test in Rajkot will be a huge opportunity for both sides to take the lead and both sides will give their best to ensure that they win the third Test.

India has not lost a Test series at home since 2012 and the last team to defeat them at home in a Test series was England when they toured in 2012 under the leadership of Sir Alastair Cook. India has won 16 consecutive Test series at home since the defeat against England in 2012.

Also Read: Watch- Naveen-ul-Haq pulls off a stunning catch in SA20 as Durban Super Giants knockout Joburg Super Kings to meet Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final

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IND vs ENG 2024 India National Cricket Team India vs England Test series Ravindra Jadeja Virat Kohli