Indian cricket star Virat Kohli decides to sit out the initial two tests against England
Indian Cricket Star Virat Kohli Steps Away from Upcoming Test Series
Virat Kohli, the 35-year-old former captain of the Indian cricket team, has decided to step away from the upcoming five-Test series against England, scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on Thursday. This marks the first time in over two years that Kohli will miss a Test match.
The BCCI and the team management have expressed support for Kohli, acknowledging his prioritization of addressing his personal situation. In a statement, the BCCI stated that they understand and respect Kohli's decision, and they are confident in the remaining squad members to deliver a strong performance.
The reason for Kohli's withdrawal is due to certain personal situations that require his immediate attention and full focus. The specific details about Kohli's personal situations that led to his withdrawal from the series have not been disclosed. The BCCI has urged the media and fans to respect Kohli's privacy and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons.
Kohli, a stalwart in Indian cricket, has played 113 Tests and holds the fourth position in India's all-time leading run-scorers with 8,848 runs. The last instance when Kohli missed a Test match was due to a back spasm during the match against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, England batter Harry Brook recently returned to the UK for personal reasons, a day prior to the news about Kohli. The exact nature of Brook's personal reasons for returning to the UK is not specified in the article.
It is important to note that Kohli announced retirement from Test cricket before the England series in 2025 and was absent from that five-Test series. India played the full series without Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their retirements from Tests. No specific player is directly labeled as "replacement for Kohli" in the Test format within these search results. Any substitution was managed through team selection of other batsmen in the middle order.
As the five-Test series against England approaches, the Indian cricket team will be looking to put up a strong performance without their former captain. The team's focus will be on maintaining their form and continuing their winning streak, as they look to secure another victory in the challenging conditions of Hyderabad.
Despite Virat Kohli's absence due to personal reasons, the Indian cricket team is determined to continue their form and win in the upcoming five-Test series against England. Meanwhile, football might offer an alternative for Kohli, considering his love for sports, as he works through his personal situations.
