(Cricket News) Virat Kohli withdrew from the initial two matches, citing personal reasons. In an official statement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mentioned that Kohli had requested to be excused from the opening Tests, set to commence in Hyderabad on Thursday. The board assured that a replacement would be announced shortly.

Virat Kohli informed Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors about his decision, necessitating some contingency planning for the upcoming Test series. The statement highlighted Virat Kohli’s commitment to representing the country but emphasized the need for his presence in certain personal situations requiring undivided attention. The BCCI extended support to Kohli and expressed confidence in the remaining squad members’ abilities to step up and deliver commendable performances.

The board urged media and fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy and avoid speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus was directed towards supporting the Indian cricket team in the upcoming challenges of the Test series, and the Men’s Selection Committee was expected to name a replacement soon.

The 16-man squad included wicketkeepers KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel as spare batsmen, but the selectors might consider an external candidate for a like-for-like replacement for Virat Kohli, especially given the spin-friendly pitches expected in the Tests against England. Uncertainty loomed over the wicketkeeping role, with KL Rahul and KS Bharat in contention.

The batting order for the Tests appeared to be in flux, with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal slated to open, followed by Shubman Gill at No.3. The No.4 position, previously occupied by Virat Kohli, raised questions about whether Rahul or Shreyas Iyer would fill the slot.

This wasn’t the first time Virat Kohli had taken a break from international cricket. Notably, he had left the tour of Australia in 2020-21 during a challenging period for personal reasons, resulting in Ajinkya Rahane leading India to a historic series triumph. In 2022, Virat Kohli had taken a break to address mental health concerns, making a successful comeback after a month-long hiatus.

Also Read: Ravi Shastri is set to receive the BCCI’s lifetime achievement award in 2024