Putting an end to the swirling speculations, Virat Kohli has taken the proactive step of informing BCCI officials, the selection committee, and the Indian team management about his decision to withdraw from the remaining three Tests against England due to personal reasons.
This move comes after Kohli’s absence from the first two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, also due to personal reasons.
While earlier reports suggested Kohli’s potential absence from the third and fourth Tests, the confirmation came when he directly communicated his unavailability to the selectors on Friday.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah expressed the board’s full support for Virat Kohli’s decision to withdraw from the remainder of the series due to personal reasons.
“Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Kohli’s decision,” Shah stated on Saturday.
In light of Kohli’s absence, the selectors have unveiled India’s squad for the remaining three Tests, excluding the stalwart batsman.
Kohli’s unexpected withdrawal came after his participation in India’s initial training session before the series opener in Hyderabad.
Despite being present, Kohli conveyed his decision to opt out of the first two Tests to captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and the selectors. The subsequent day, the BCCI issued a comprehensive press release urging privacy for the former India captain.
This marks the first instance in Kohli’s career where he will miss an entire Test series at home, signifying a significant setback for India’s batting lineup.
The absence of Kohli, a linchpin in the team, leaves a void in an Indian batting unit that has faced challenges in posting substantial scores and has relied heavily on individual brilliance throughout the series.
While Kohli’s withdrawal was anticipated, given his absence from the country, it underscores the impact of personal commitments on professional obligations.
