Significantly, leading Indian batsman Virat Kohli has withdrawn from the first two Test matches against England, claiming personal concerns.
The BCCI has respect for Virat, and the board, team management, and players have shown their support for the star batsman. They also have faith in the ability of the remaining players to step up.
The BCCI announced on Monday that Virat Kohli had withdrawn from the first two Test matches against England for personal reasons. Citing personal concerns, Virat Kohli has asked to be removed from the first two Test matches of the forthcoming IDFC First Bank Test series against England by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The five-match series will be off on Thursday in Hyderabad.
While representing his country has always been his first priority, Virat Kohli has made it clear in conversations with Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors that some personal problems require his presence and full attention.
As to the BCCI statement, “The board and team management have extended their support to the star batter, and the BCCI respects his decision. They are confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series.”
The BCCI is requesting that during this time, the public and media respect Virat Kohli’s privacy and abstain from making assumptions about the nature of his personal motivations. Supporting the Indian cricket team as they take on the forthcoming obstacles in the Test series should continue to be the main priority.
The Men’s Selection Committee will shortly announce a successor.
Ahead of their five-match Test series against India, the England cricket team arrived at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Sunday night.
The next four tests will be held in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala.
In advance of the Rajkot Test, Kohli is anticipated to join the Indian Test team.
The fifth and final Test of the long-format series between India and England will take place in Dharamshala on March 11, after it begins in Hyderabad on January 25.
The BCCI says that someone will be named shortly to take his position for the first two Tests
Dan Lawrence, an English batsman, was brought in to replace Harry Brook, a young player who had to withdraw from the five-Test India series just before the team left for India.
For the upcoming Test series, Ben Stokes will captain an all-new England squad.
