Indian star batter Virat Kohli is ruled out for the first two Tests against England. India and England are scheduled to play out a five-match Test series starting January 25 in Hyderabad. The two nations' face-off would be a part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25.
Former India captain Virat Kohli has pulled out from the first two tests, citing personal reasons.
Virat Kohli last featured for India in the red-ball format against South Africa. Kohli ended the two-match series as India's leading run-scorer, with 172 runs in 4 innings. The Delhi-born batter would be a big miss for hosts India against England.
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Why is Kohli unavailable for first two tests against England?
The BCCI revealed the news via a press release on January 29, that the 35-year-old batter would miss the first two tests against England in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
Mr. Virat Kohli has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be withdrawn from the first two Tests of the upcoming IDFC First Bank Test series against England, citing personal reasons.
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. The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series.
The BCCI requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli's privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series.
While the news of Kohli missing the first matches was informed, BCCI did not reveal a specific reason why the veteran batter has pulled out of the matches.
Ahead of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, rumours began to circulate on social media that Kohli's mother had taken ill and that the India batter had flown home to be with his family. However, those were dispelled on January 31, as Kohli's brother Vikas posted an Instagram story saying that their mother was "absolutely fit and fine". He also requested media to not spread such news without proper information.
Instagram story by the brother of Virat Kohli.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 31, 2024
- All the news about the mother of Virat Kohli is fake. pic.twitter.com/TBDP1PwWfh
MORE: Who will replace Kohli in the Indian squad?
AB de Villiers reveals the real reason behind Virat Kohli's absence
Former South African cricketer and Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore buddy AB de Villiers shockingly revealed the real reason why Kohli missed the first two Tests. ABD claimed that Kohli is spending time his wife, Anushka Sharma, as she is expecting a second child.
I did text him, I did hear from him, I cannot give you too much information. All I know is that he’s fine and spending a bit of time with his family that’s the reason for missing the first few Test matches. I’m not gonna confirm anything else, unfortunately. But I would love to see him back, I cannot wait to see him back whichever form or way. But he’s fine, he’s happy.
" Virat Kohli is fine, and he is spending time with his family "
— 𝐃𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐔 𝕏 (@diptanubiswas19) February 3, 2024
~ AB De Villiers ( YouTube ) pic.twitter.com/34T68zttyv
What is Virat Kohli's record in Tests?
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 191 | 8848 | 49.15 | 55.56 | 30 | 29 | 254* |
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