Virat Kohli withdraws from first two Tests against England

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has requested to be withdrawn from the squad for the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed in their statement.

The selection committee will name a replacement in due course for Kohli.

The release further stated that Kohli spoke to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors before making his decision. “He emphasised that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention,” the statement said.

The BCCI also requested the media and fans for privacy on the matter and to refrain from speculation.

Kohli recently featured for India in the Test series against South Africa, which they came from behind to draw 1-1. Following the series, he was absent for the first T20I against Afghanistan at home due to personal reasons but returned for the remaining two games.

The five-match series between the two teams begins on 25 January in Hyderabad before the action moves to Visakhapatnam for the second game. Kohli was initially named in the squad announced for the first 

two games on 12 January.

BCCI is yet to name the squad for the remaining three Tests. Squad for first two Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul, K.S. Bharat, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan.

The series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 where India currently sit second on the table behind leaders Australia.