Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, will be without Virat Kohli for the first two Tests of the famous five-match series against England. Kohli dropped from India’s upcoming red-ball assignment on Monday, citing personal reasons, only days after returning to the T20I format in the home series against Afghanistan. The former world number one batter will not play the first two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. The first Test will take place on Thursday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) affirmed that Kohli is out of the Indian team ahead of the Test series and offered the former captain of India its support.
In an official statement, BCCI said, “Virat Kohli has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be withdrawn from the first two Tests of the upcoming IDFC First Bank Test series against England, citing personal reasons.”
Kohli also talked with skipper Rohit, team management and selection committee members before making this decision.
BCCI said, “Virat has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasised 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.”