Just two days prior to the first Test of the five-match series against England, India was dealt a surprise blow. Famous batsman Virat Kohli has chosen to miss the first two games due to personal reasons. In an announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that Virat Kohli had asked to be excused from the first two Test matches against England due to personal concerns. The first Test of the series is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, and the board is anticipated to name a replacement shortly.
Virat has talked about his choice with Captain Rohit Sharma, team management, and selectors, stressing that representing his nation has always been his first priority, the BCCI said in the statement. But certain personal matters require his presence and complete focus. The board and the team management offer their support to the outstanding batter, and the BCCI respects his decision. They have faith that the remaining players of the team will perform admirably throughout the Test series. Virat Kohli’s privacy is important, and the BCCI asks the public and media to respect it by not speculating on the nature of his personal motivations. The Indian cricket team should continue to receive support as they prepare for the upcoming Test series trials. A successor will shortly be announced by the selecting committee.
The 16-man team now includes Dhruv Jurel and wicketkeeper KS Bharat as extra batsmen. If selectors want parity for Kohli, they may have to look beyond the group for a substitute. When playing on spin-friendly grounds against England in Test matches, it is obvious how dangerous it is to deploy just five specialist batters. Who will wear the wicketkeeping gloves—KL Rahul or KS Bharat—remains to be seen. Shubman Gill will bat third, after Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal open the innings. Although Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are listed as middle-order batters, it is unclear if they would replace Kohli at number four or if someone else will go in.
This isn’t the first time Kohli has taken a break from international cricket. One notable instance was during the 2020-21 Australia tour. After India suffered a defeat in the first Test, Kohli, who was the captain at that time, announced in advance that he would leave the tour to be with his pregnant wife. In his absence, Ajinkya Rahane led a remarkable turnaround, winning the memorable series 2-1. Another significant break was in 2022 when Kohli took time off for his mental well-being after stepping down from captaincy across formats. During this period, the star batsman admitted that he hadn’t picked up a bat for a month.
Kohli returned rejuvenated after the break, delivering outstanding performances with the bat. Alternatives: If a new face is needed, recent form suggests a potential option in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajat Patidar. He has already made his debut for India in whites, scoring 151 runs against England Lions in a warm-up game. Before that, Patidar scored 111 runs in a two-day practice match against the same opponents. The 30-year-old, with a domestic pedigree, played a crucial role in Madhya Pradesh’s victory in the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy, where he scored a century in the final against Mumbai.
Alternatives
During selection meetings, the name of Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan is often discussed. His prowess against pace and bounce is evident, but his ability against spin could be crucial on turning tracks. Experienced Cheteshwar Pujara has been consistently scoring in first-class cricket, and if selectors are looking for a tried and tested player, he could be an option. Selectors might consider the experienced campaigner Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been consistently scoring in first-class cricket. If the selectors trust a tried and tested player, he could be an option.
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