Virat Kohli to miss 3rd and 4th Tests against England, uncertain for 5th Test in Dharamsala

Indian batter Virat Kohli’s absence from the ongoing five-match Test series against England is anticipated to be extended. Virat Kohli will reportedly be unavailable for the upcoming third and fourth Test matches against the England team due to personal reasons.

Virat Kohli’s recent on-field appearance was during the third T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, where he was dismissed for a golden duck. He also missed the first Afghanistan match due to personal reasons. He scored 29 runs in the second T20I match.

Virat Kohli Set To Miss Remainder Of England Series

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, selectors are unlikely to include Virat Kohli in the upcoming Tests against England in Rajkot and Ranchi, respectively. Additionally, it’s anticipated that Kohli won’t participate in the fifth and final Test match in Dharamsala.

On January 22, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement announcing that Kohli had made himself unavailable for the first two Tests, citing personal reasons. Notably, the batter joined the Indian team before departing on the same day.

The BCCI urged fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy amid his absence from the team. Since the statement’s release, the BCCI has not provided further comments on Kohli’s situation.

“Virat has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention,” BCCI’s statement from two weeks back read.

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Virat Kohli’s Private Life Has To Come First – Nasser Hussain

Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain acknowledged Virat Kohli’s absence from the next two Tests as a significant setback for India. Hussain emphasized Kohli’s need to prioritize his personal life after years of relentless cricket.

“But Kohli and his family and his private life has to come first, so it’s a blow for India, but as we’ve seen, they’ve got a lot of very good young batters. But KL Rahul, who was injured for the last game, played brilliantly in the last few months for India and in all formats. I think he’ll come back in, so he’ll add to their batting,” Hussain stated.

The 35-year-old boasts a formidable record against England, amassing 1991 runs in 28 Tests with an average of 42.36, including five centuries and nine fifties. In home Tests, he scored 1015 runs in 13 matches at an average of 56.38, achieving a top score of 235.

Also Read: Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma! Mohammed Shami answers who’s the best and who’s the dangerous

India To Face England In Third Test On February 15

Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were sidelined from the second Test in Vishakapatnam, undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Despite initial setbacks, Team India managed to secure a crucial victory in the second Test, leveling the series at 1-1.

The upcoming third Test between India and England is set to commence at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Thursday, February 15. The home team aims to field a full-strength playing XI and hopes for the recovery of players from injuries.

Also read: “Virat Kohli wants to show the Indian selectors that his name should be the 2nd pick for T20 World Cup 2024 after Rohit Sharma..”- Sunil Gavaskar