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Virat Kohli will not be included in India’s squad for the first two Tests of the forthcoming five-match series against England, the BCCI said on Monday, January 22. Citing personal reasons, the former captain of India has withdrawn from the first two Test matches.
For the second time this month, the great batsman has chosen to forego an assignment for personal reasons. He withdrew from the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series against Afghanistan earlier this month.
“Virat has conveyed to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors that, although serving his country has always been his first priority, some personal matters necessitate his presence and complete focus,” the BCCI said in a statement.
For Team India, losing Virat Kohli will be devastating. During the two-match Test series in South Africa, the right-handed batsman led India in scoring.
While his teammates laboured in the tough conditions, he was one of the few Indian batters to reach the 150-run milestone in the series.
Although Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma did not disclose the reason for their decision to play the first two Tests, rumours have it that the Indian player is expecting their second child.
Vamika, their daughter born in 2021, is already a parent, and they are about to become parents again.
Although neither Anushka Sharma nor Virat Kohli have made any public comments regarding it yet, there have been persistent rumours regarding her pregnancy for some time.
The BCCI has not yet revealed who would take the great batsman’s spot.
The first game of the five-match series is set for January 25. The first match will be played in Hyderabad, and on February 3, both sides will travel to Vizag for the second match.
The remaining two Test matches will be held at Ranchi and Dharamsala, respectively, and the third match will be held in Rajkot.
