IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli Opts Out Of First Two Tests Due To Personal Reasons

IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli has opted to pull out of the first two Test matches of the five-match series beginning on January 25.

Virat Kohli will not be available for selection for the first two Test matches of the five-match home series against England.

Source : Getty

Star India batter Virat Kohli has pulled out of the first two Test matches of the five-match home series against England owing to personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on Monday (January 22). An official release by the Board states that while Kohli has had a word with captain Rohit Sharma as well as the team management, he emphasised that although representing the country has always remained his top priority, he finds himself in a personal situation which needs his presence and undivided attention. The 

Meanwhile, the Board has reassured its support to the star batter. They also remain confident that the remaining members of the India squad will be able to deliver in what promises to be a challenging series with the first of the five Tests set to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from January 25 (Thursday). The BCCI has also requested the media to respect Kohli's privacy, urging them to refrain from the nature of his personal reasons which keeps him away from the Test matches.

Not The First Time Kohli Has Opted Out Citing Personal Reasons

It is pertinent to note that this is not the first time Kohli has chosen to opt out of an international assignment citing personal reasons. After being named in India's T20I squad for the first time in 14 months, Kohli chose to pull out of the series opener against Afghanistan in Mohali before joining the team for the second and the third T20Is. 

BCCI Set To Name Kohli's Replacement In Due Course

While Kohli's replacement has not been announced yet, it has been conveyed that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will be naming a replacement for Kohli in due course. The right-handed batter is expected to be join the squad for the last three Tests.

India Squad for first 2 Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan

*Kohli's Replacement Yet To Be Announced