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[Saba Sports News] India batter Virat Kohli, who opted out of the initial two matches of the five-game test series against England citing personal reasons, casts doubt on his presence for the entire series, remaining out of reach for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his availability.
As per the latest from a BCCI official reported by The Times of India, there has been no communication from Kohli regarding his return to the squad. His absence raises eyebrows as the team braces for the upcoming fixtures against England.
“We haven’t heard anything from him on his return as yet,” a BCCI official said as quoted to The Times of India.
Kohli’s absence was not confined to the Test series alone as he also missed the first T20I against Afghanistan earlier this year in Mohali but joined the team for the subsequent two games.
In response to the injury setbacks, BCCI selectors named replacements for the injured KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the second Test, slated to commence from February 2 in Visakhapatnam. Sarfaraz Khan and Sourabh Kumar, both uncapped, have been drafted into the Test team, with Washington Sundar, who has an experience of four Test matches under his belt, also called upon for reinforcement.
While Rahul’s return in the third Test appears promising, doubts loom over Jadeja’s fitness following a hamstring injury sustained in the previous game.
With the BCCI poised to unveil the squad for the remaining three matches, speculation mounts that the existing team may continue its journey to Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala should Kohli’s status remain unchanged.