Virat Kohli today surprised his fans and the cricketing world, as he went on to announce his withdrawal from the ongoing Test series against England due to personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this development on Saturday, putting an end to speculations about Kohli’s availability for the remainder of the series.
The series, currently tied at 1-1 following India’s victory in the second match in Visakhapatnam, will proceed without the renowned batter, as per the BCCI’s announcement of the squad for the remaining three Tests.
In an official statement, the BCCI expressed its support for Virat Kohli’s decision, stating, “Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohli’s decision.” Kohli, currently attending to urgent family matters, will miss an entire home series for the first time in his illustrious career.
Since his Test debut in 2011, Virat Kohli has been a mainstay in every home Test series for India. His absence marks a significant departure from the norm, reflecting the gravity of the personal circumstances he is attending to. The 35-year-old former captain, boasting an impressive record of nearly 9,000 runs in 113 tests, had also missed the first two Tests of the series due to similar reasons.
Kohli’s strong presence in Indian cricket is underscored by his remarkable achievements as captain, including leading India to their maiden Test series victory in Australia. Moreover, he played a pivotal role in maintaining India’s top-ranked status in the format for an astonishing 42 consecutive months, from October 2016 to March 2020.
India will miss Virat Kohli Vs James Anderson Contest in England Test Series
The absence of Virat Kohli from the ongoing series brings into focus his memorable rivalry with English bowler James Anderson. In the 2014 tour of England, Anderson had the upper hand, dismissing Kohli four times while conceding only 16 runs. However, Kohli’s evolution as a premier batter was evident in the subsequent tour in 2018, where he not only neutralized Anderson’s threat but also amassed 593 runs across four Tests, remaining unbeaten against the seasoned English pacer.
Despite Anderson dismissing Kohli on seven occasions in their encounters, the future of their riveting rivalry seems uncertain, especially considering Anderson’s advancing age. As Kohli attends to personal matters and Anderson approaches 42, the prospect of their showdown on the cricket field may diminish, leaving fans to cherish the memories of their captivating battles in the years to come.
