Breaking: Virat Kohli Withdraws from Initial Tests Against England!

Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian cricket team, will be absent for the initial two Tests against England, citing “personal reasons,” as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday. The BCCI is set to designate a replacement shortly, especially with the first Test of the five-match series scheduled to commence on Thursday in Hyderabad.

 

In a released statement, the BCCI acknowledged Kohli’s prioritization of representing the country but noted the existence of certain personal circumstances requiring his immediate attention. The board expressed respect for Kohli’s decision, extended support to the renowned batsman, and conveyed confidence in the remaining squad’s abilities to perform admirably in the upcoming Test series.

 

The statement emphasized the BCCI’s plea to the media and fans to respect Kohli’s privacy during this period and refrained from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. Kohli, known for his stellar performance, had previously missed the white-ball leg of the South African tour in 2023 and the opening T20 match against Afghanistan.

 

India has maintained an undefeated record in Test series at home since 2012. Notably, England’s last victory in a Test series on Indian soil occurred in 2012 when Alastair Cook’s team emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. The current England team, led by Ben Stokes, has arrived in Hyderabad following a training camp held in Abu Dhabi.