Virat Kohli in action. (Courtesy: BCCI/Twitter)Former India captain Virat Kohli has withdrawn from first-two Tests against England, starting January 25, due to personal reasons, the BCCI said in a statement on Monday. Kohli informed about his decision to Team India captain Rohit Sharma and the team management, underlining that representing the nation will always be his top priority.
As per reports, Kohli had earlier obtained permission from the BCCI to attend the Ram Temple Consecration in Ayodhya on January 22. It is, however, still not clear if he joined Team India’s four-day practice session which got underway at the Uppal Stadium on January 20.
“Virat has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention,” BCCI said in a statement.
“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.”
Following the first Test in Hyderabad, Team India will host England for the second match at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, starting from February 2.
Kohli has been an integral part of the Indian Test squad. He has featured in 113 Tests, amassing 8848 runs, at an average of 49.15. He has the highest score of an unbeaten 254 and recorded 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries in the longest format of the game.
The five-match Test series will be important for both sides in the World Test Championship cycle from 2023 to 2025. The hosts are currently at the second spot while England are seventh in the top nine teams table.