The star batsman of India, Virat Kohli, withdraws from the first two Tests due to personal reasons; his replacement is yet to be named
Star batter of Indian cricket team Virat Kohli withdrew from the India Test squad for the first two matches against England, citing personal reasons. The Indian cricket board said Kohli spoke to the team management, including captain Rohit Sharma, before taking the call.
Virat Kohli was spotted in Hyderabad on Sunday as India began training for the first Test, starting January 25 in the South Indian city.
The BCCI said, “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 statement further read, “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.”
The Indian cricket board also said it respected Virat Kohli’s decision and that it was confident that the rest of the team would be able to rise up to the challenge against an upbeat England side in the first two Tests.