With an exciting 5 match series set to began on 25th January 2024 between India and England at Hyderabad, it is clear that Team India under the management lead by coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma will miss the services of star ace Indian batter Virat Kohli for the first two tests against the visitor. Virat Kohli has pulled out of India’s first two Tests against England for 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 as said by BCCI . Kohli reached Hyderabad, the venue of the first of five Tests, on Sunday, but did not attend India’s optional training session on Monday leading to the news that the star batter will miss the bus for the first 2 tests versus England at home.
Virat Kohli and his conundrum with national duty
Any team will miss the quality of a player of the Virat Kohli- Rahul Dravid
Team India head coach Rahul Dravid feels Virat Kohli’s absence should be looked at as an opportunity for others in the team to step up in the first two Tests of the series against England.
Kohli has withdrawn himself from the Indian squad for the first two games, citing personal reasons as per the statement released by the BCCI. Given how good he looked in the Tests against South Africa and his experience, it is a setback for the hosts ahead of the first Test on Thursday.
However, speaking to reporters, Rahul Dravid explained how the others in the Indian batting line-up can step up in Virat Kohli’s absence. He said:
“I think you know any team will miss the quality of a player of the Virat. There’s no doubt about it. You know, he’s a phenomenal player. His record speaks for him. On the field, his presence is a huge boost to the side. But having said that, I think, it just presents another opportunity for somebody else to be able to step up and to be able to put in some performances.”
India haven’t named a replacement for Virat Kohli but the likes of Rajat Patidar who scored an brilliant hundred against the England lions seems a bright name for the reckoning alongside Sarfaraz Khan , Cheteshwar Pujara and Abhimanyu Easwaran being the front runners for the same. With Dravid specifying that the team management isn’t looking at KL Rahul as a wicketkeeping option, the right-hander could replace Kohli as a pure batter in the middle order.
Rahul Dravid on England’s Bazball ideology
Rahul Dravid is well aware of England’s ultra-attacking ‘Bazball’ philosophy and how it can catch India off-guard. However, he has full faith in the quality of the Indian bowling and feels the hosts have an advantage of knowing the conditions well.
On this, Dravid stated:
“It’s certainly been exciting to watch them play and they’ve had success playing like that. So why wouldn’t you play like that? But we know it’s going to be a challenge for them in these conditions as well. These are conditions that we know very well. We’ve got a lot of experience in our attack.”
Rahul Dravid is looking forward to the prospect of England coming hard at India and wants to see how Rohit Sharma and Co. respond. It will be interesting to see whether Ben Stokes and his men can continue playing their aggressive brand of cricket if they are greeted with a rank-turner in Hyderabad .
India despite not having Virat Kohli to their ranks will look to topple England side under the able leadership of Rohit Sharma and the bowling attack bolstered with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin . India currently are ranked second behind table toppers Australia in the World Championship Table 2023-25 and would like to change it by having a significant lead after first 2 matches till Virat Kohli returns to the fore starting from 3rd match of the series.