A plethora of India Cricket Team stars was present at the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha event. Among the major missing were the likes of MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Indian Cricket fans were left bewildered as to why their favourite stars were not present in the auspicious event.
The trio received their invitations to be present at the event, but didn’t attend for different reasons. As for the Indian Cricket Team is concerned, only Ravindra Jadeja was present at the event with his wife.
Rohit Sharma didn’t attend the ceremony owing to national duties. The entire India team sans Rohit reached Hyderabad on 20th January. While the team took part in an indoor training sessions, Rohit practiced alone in Mumbai’s BKC. He ultimately flew to Hyderabad on Monday to join the India camp. As a result, Rohit was absent from the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
As for Virat Kohli, both he and his wife Anushka Sharma were invited for the event, but the power couple wasn’t present. Virat Kohli pulled out of the first two IND vs ENG Test matches citing personal reasons.
BCCI on Virat Kohli
Mr. Virat Kohli has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be withdrawn from the first two Tests of the upcoming IDFC First Bank Test series against England, citing personal reasons.
Virat has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention.
The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series.
The BCCI requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series.
The Men’s Selection Committee will name a replacement soon.
On the other hand, former India skipper and current CSK skipper MS Dhoni was also not present in the event. Dhoni is currently recovering from his knee injury. Ahead of the start of IPL 2024, it can be the case that Dhoni is recovering and thus was not able to be present for the event.