Indian cricket star Virat Kohli pulls out of the opening two fixtures against England in test cricket
Virat Kohli, the 35-year-old former captain of the Indian cricket team, has decided to step away from the upcoming five-Test series. This will mark the first time in over two years that Kohli will miss a Test match.
The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) has released a statement regarding Kohli's decision, acknowledging his commitment to representing India while understanding his personal situation. The BCCI urges the media and fans to respect Kohli's privacy and refrain from speculating on his personal reasons.
The BCCI and the team management express support for Kohli, who has served as the team's captain in 68 Tests from 2014 to 2022. Kohli is a stalwart in Indian cricket, having played 113 Tests and amassed 8,848 runs, placing him fourth on the list of India's all-time leading run-scorers.
Interestingly, this is the first time in Kohli's career that he will miss a Test series other than the one in Johannesburg due to a back spasm. The series against England will be the first Test series Kohli will miss in his career, excluding the game in Johannesburg due to a back spasm. The last instance Kohli missed a Test was during the match against South Africa in Johannesburg due to a back spasm.
Shubman Gill, a promising young player, has been chosen to replace Kohli in the squad. Gill not only took over the batting responsibilities but also captained the team, leading as the highest scorer in the series with 754 runs. This transition occurred after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both retired from Test cricket in May 2025, resulting in a significant change in the Indian Test team. Gill's composure, technique, and leadership have been widely praised, marking him as the successor in the batting lineup and leadership role previously held by Kohli.
The BCCI will consider Kohli's significant role as a captain when announcing his replacement. The board is confident in the remaining squad members to step up in Kohli's absence. The upcoming five-Test series, scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on Thursday, promises to be an intriguing test of the team's resilience and adaptability.
Meanwhile, Harry Brook, an England batter, returned to the UK for personal reasons a day prior to the announcement of Kohli's withdrawal. The details of his absence are not yet clear.
[1] [News Source 1] [4] [News Source 4]
- In light of Virat Kohli's decision to step away from the upcoming five-Test series, there might be an opportunity for a young player to showcase his skills in cricket, specifically in football, as Kohli was often the focal point in the Indian Test team.
- Considering Harry Brook's sudden absence from the England team, it is possible that he could take a break from cricket, similar to how Kohli is focusing on his personal life before returning to the sport, as both players have demonstrated the ability to balance their professional and personal commitments in the past.
