Virat Kohli withdraws from first two Tests against England due to personal reasons.
In a significant setback for India ahead of the crucial five-match Test series against England, star batsman Virat Kohli has opted out of the first two Tests. The series is set to commence with the first Test on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, followed by the second Test in Visakhapatnam starting from February 02.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Kohli’s withdrawal is due to personal reasons. Kohli, in discussions with captain Rohit Sharma, team management, and selectors, cited the need to attend to certain personal situations that demand his undivided attention. The replacement for the batting maestro will be disclosed shortly.
The BCCI has urged fans and the media to respect Kohli’s privacy and avoid intruding into his family’s personal space. Kohli’s absence will be a significant blow to the Indian batting lineup, given his impressive record against England. Kohli has amassed 1991 runs against the English side at an average of 42.36, including five centuries and nine fifties. His stellar performances during the 2016 home series make him the leading run-scorer with 655 runs at an average of 109.16, featuring two hundreds and two fifties.