‘Dukh ho raha hai but I hope everything is good’- Fans react as Virat Kohli withdraws from Hyderabad and Vizag Tests vs England
Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli has opted out of the first two Tests against England, citing personal reasons. The Indian Cricket Board confirmed the news in a statement, leaving fans grappling with […]
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Jan 22, 2024 4:15 pm
Virat Kohli (Source – X)
Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli has opted out of the first two Tests against England, citing personal reasons. The Indian Cricket Board confirmed the news in a statement, leaving fans grappling with questions about the star cricketer’s decision.
Kohli’s absence is undoubtedly a blow to the Indian team, especially considering his stature and recent resurgence in form. Over the past year, he has silenced critics with a string of remarkable performances, culminating in the ODI World Cup 2023campaign in which he scored 765 runs. His presence would have been crucial in providing stability to the top order as the games are slated to be played on some tough tracks.
On its part, the Board has requested the public and media to avoid any form of speculation and instead respect the veteran’s decision. “The Board respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series.
The Board requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series,” the statement said.
Both Rahul and Iyer set to play
Recent reports suggested that India would play with a specialist wicketkeeper in the series, likely KS Bharat, which meant one of KL Rahulor Shreyas IyerΒ would have to make way. With Kohli’s absence, however, both Rahul and Iyer get a reprieve. This is a golden opportunity for the two batsmen to cement their places in the side and make themselves “undroppable” when Kohli returns.
The first Test will commence on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad following which the two teams will travel to Visakhapatnam. The last three games for which Kohli will return will be held in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala.
Here’s how ‘X-verse’ reacted to the Kohli development:
Not like him to miss tests, he was in the training session yesterday. Better not to speculate things. Respect his space. Has to be something because of which he's missing the tests. Hope he comes back in the best mental space and hit the ground running. β€οΈ
