Virat Kohli's Replacement For First Two England Tests Announced, Another Star Released

25.01.2024 - 06:13 sports.ndtv.com

Madhya Pradesh's prolific batter Rajat Patidar was on Thursday named as a replacement for India's batting mainstay Virat Kohli for the first two Tests against England. "Rajat Patidar has joined the team as Virat Kohli's replacement for the first two Tests against England," the BCCI said in the announcement.

Kohli had decided to make himself unavailable for the first two Tests of the five-match series due to "personal reasons". The 30-year-old, who is fresh from scoring 111 and 151 in India A's fixture against England Lions, however, will have to wait for his Test debut.

Toss UpdateEngland win the toss in Hyderabad and elect to bat in the 1st #INDvENG Test.Fast bowler Avesh Khan has been released to play for his Ranji trophy team, Madhya Pradesh for their next Ranji Trophy fixture.Rajat Patidar has joined the team as Virat Kohli's… pic.twitter.com/g9TfcLZZvs The Rohit Sharma-led side opted for a three-pronged spin attack, including left-arm spinner Axar Patel in the opening Test in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Patidar recently made his international debut in an ODI against South Africa in Paarl, where he scored 22 opening the innings, The BCCI announcement also mentioned that fast bowler Avesh Khan has been released to represent his Ranji trophy team, Madhya Pradesh, in their next Ranji Trophy fixture. India's squad for first two Tests against England: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Rajat Patidar

cricket India Cricket Team England Cricket Team 2024 Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Rajat Patidar South Africa India

Former pacer Stuart Broad says the ongoing India-England Test series is the most evenly-matched contest that he has seen between the two sides but the visitors have a strong chance of emerging triumphant as the "fire, passion and competitiveness" of Virat Kohli is missing from the home team's arsenal. Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the just-concluded SA20, where he was a commentator, Broad said the absence of Kohli due to personal reasons is a downer but the matches so far have been engrossing.

"Must Respect His Privacy": Ex-India Star's Take On Virat Kohli's Absence From India vs England Tests

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up on Virat Kohli missing the ongoing Test series against England and said that everyone should "respect his privacy." While speaking to Jio Cinema, Chopra said that no one told the reasons why the former India skipper will be missing the entire Test series against England. "He has requested not to be considered for the whole series, no one has told us the reasons for which he sought this leave, and we must respect his privacy," Chopra said.

"Life Does Not Stop Because...": Ex India Star's Blunt Take On Virat Kohli's Absence From Tests

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra does not think that star batter Virat Kohli's absence will cost India the ongoing home series against England, pointing out that India also registered an iconic series win in Australia back in 2020-21 without their superstar batter playing three of four Tests. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the remaining three Tests of the five-match series against England, with star batter Virat Kohli set to miss the remaining matches as well due to personal reasons. Virat had earlier missed the first two Tests. Now, his absence is extended to three more games. His last appearance came in the T20I series against Afghanistan earlier in January.

First Time In 13 Years! Virat Kohli's Absence From England Series Creates An Old Void

The Indian cricket squad for the last three Tests against England is out. After much delay, the BCCI named the squad on Saturday. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer have not been picked while KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja are back, but only if they clear the fitness benchmarks ahead of the third Test that starts on February 15. Earlier, Virat had withdrawn from the first two Tests due to personal reasons. Now, with the squad for the final three Tests issued on Saturday morning by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Virat's absence has extended to the entire series.

BCCI's Big Statement On 'Virat Kohli's Decision' To Skip Last 3 Tests vs England

Virat Kohli has made himself unavailable for the remainder of the Test series against England, citing personal reasons. Kohli had also missed the first two Tests due to the same reason. Apart from Kohli, Shreyas Iyer will also take no part in the remaining Tests in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala, respectively. Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja returned to the team, but their participation will depend on the BCCI's medical team's fitness clearance. On Kohli's decision to remain unavailable for the remaining Tests, the BCCI said that they "respect and support" the former captain's decision.

Virat Kohli's Absence Extended, Set To Miss Remaining Tests vs England: Report

Star India batter Virat Kohli has withdrawn his name from the remaining three Tests of the five game series against England. According to a report in the Indian Express, Kohli informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his availability on Friday, the day the selectors met in an online meeting to decide the squad for the Tests at Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamshala, respectively. Kohli had earlier withdrawn from the first two Tests, citing personal reasons.