Where is Virat Kohli? When will he return? Is all okay with Kohli? – These are some of the questions that fans have been raising with BCCI keeping mum. Virat Kohli was unavailable for the first two IND vs ENG Tests. But now that the Vizag Test inching closer to a finish, all eyes are on the superstar with squad announcement for the remaining three Tests this week. However, Kohli hasn’t yet ruled himself out. And the selectors are expecting him to return for the Rajkot Test starting Feb 15.
“Virat hasn’t made himself unavailable for 3rd Test yet. He only informed us about the first two Tests. So, he is available for selection unless he says otherwise. There will be more clarity in a day or two,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Missing Virat Kohli
In the absence of Virat Kohli, the middle order has been in tatters. Yashasvi Jaiswal has led the charge but Shreyas Iyer who was promoted to No 4 in Kohli’s absence has had a poor IND vs ENG Test series so far. Iyer has only scored 104 runs at an average of 26.00. The absence of KL Rahul too has hurt India. Rajat Patidar was called up to fill in the void but he wasn’t an instant hit on his debut either.
India need the batting reinforcement that Virat Kohli provides. That’s why his absence has been felt more than ever, especially to counter England’s aggressive approach.
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Where is Virat Kohli?
Kohli’s close friend and former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate AB De Villiers confirmed that the former India captain is expecting his second child. He is currently in the UK with his wife Anushka Sharma.
“All I know is he is fine. He is spending a bit of time with his family, that is the reason he is missing the first two Test matches. I am not going to confirm anything else,” AB de Villiers said in his YouTube show.
When will Kohli return?
There have been reports that Kohli will miss the IND vs ENG 3rd Test. However, at this point, he remains available for selection. Kohli is on a social media exile apart from a promotional post that was scheduled to be released.
However, with a 9-day gap between the Vizag & Rajkot Test, the selectors believe he will be back. Also, injury updates on Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are delaying the release of squads for the remaining three Tests of IND vs ENG Test series. However, the squad is now expected by Wednesday, Feb 7.
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