In the modern day of cricket , where Virat Kohli is considered to be the greatest player of the current era due to his pyrotechnics on and off the field, his availability for the upcoming mega event the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has grown huge interests amongst cricket lovers and fans . Virat Kohli over the years have burdened Indian hopes on his shoulders through immaculate innings in the shortest format of the game will like to give his all in conquest of the elusive ICC title.
Though not playing T20I cricket over a year now the likes of Virat Kohli still remains a popular choice to play in shortest format. The other poster boy of Indian cricket who has carried India’s dream on his shoulder and an successful captain for his franchise in the Indian Premier league, current Indian captain Rohit Sharma is now brewing the headlines with a success on South Africa tour.
The swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma has once again made himself available for the upcoming mega event the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 which could be his final journey in the conquest of the coveted ICC Title. With the next big thing the ICC World T20 Cup 2024 set to take place in June and the schedule being out for the same, IPL 2024 would be a event for practicing for the ultimate world title in June.
Virat Kohli opted out of marquee 5 Test Match series against England citing personal reasons
With an exciting 5 match series that began on 25th January 2024 between India and England at Hyderabad, it was clear that Team India under the management lead by coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma would miss the services of star ace Indian batter Virat Kohli for the first two tests against the visitor. Virat Kohli pulled out of India’s first two Tests against England for personal reasons.
Virat Kohli had 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 . Prior to first test on 25th January 2024 , Virat 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.
India dismissed England for 292 runs in their second innings on day four to register a series-levelling 106-run win in the second Test. Resuming at 194 for six, England lost the remaining four wickets in the post-lunch session to be bowled out in 69.2 overs as India levelled the five-match series 1-1. India had scored 396 and 255 in their two innings, while England were dismissed for 253 in their first essay. India had lost the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad.
Virat Kohli and his conundrum with national duty
Virat Kohli played India’s last Test series – the 1-1 draw in South Africa – and then missed the first T20I at home against Afghanistan for personal reasons before returning for the last two matches of the series. While Kohli was rested for the white-ball games in South Africa, he had returned to India and missed the preparatory three-day intra-squad match ahead of the two Tests there in the rainbow nation.
While it still remains a personal reason for Virat Kohli to opt out of the high octane test matches in the series which could decide its course after first 2 matches itself, the conundrum for Virat Kohli’s frequent misses from the national duty in the format which he adores the most i.e.: Test cricket still remains a question to many especially when crucial points ant the World Test Championships 2023-25 are at stake.
However Former Indian batter now coach Rahul Dravid respects Virat’s decision and opines that the loss of Virat Kohli would serve as an opportunity for youngsters and other players to rise up to the occasion versus the English men before the start of the series .
India dismissed England for 292 runs in their second innings on day four to register a series-levelling 106-run win in the second Test.
Resuming at 194 for six, England lost the remaining four wickets in the post-lunch session to be bowled out in 69.2 overs as India levelled the five-match series 1-1. India had scored 396 and 255 in their two innings, while England were dismissed for 253 in their first essay. India had lost the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad.
With the series poised even 1-1 heading to Rajkot, it is evident that post Virat Kohli’s return India’s fragile middle order will be bolstered. But the news from some media centers are not that exciting stating that Virat Kohli may be out for the entire 5 match series. With these news may not have impressed to fans around the globe who always wanted to see Virat Kohli in action on the field, many experts around the globe has openly supported Virat’s decision to be with the family when his time is needed for them.
However the news came true as Virat Kohli choose to stay away from this marquee test series from all the five matches . Also Ishan Kishan and his fallout with the Indian management seems to be an issue as India is struggling to find a wicket keeper who can bat in the ongoing series vs England. Also constant news of giving Indian key players rest in the marquee series versus England with a fright that they might be out for longer time due to injury if they play constant cricket seems to do no good to the Indian team.
However Virat Kohli finally declared his reason for absence from cricket field as he embraced fatherhood for the second time . Virat Kohli will now be ready to be on the cricket field when IPL commences for 2024 for his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore as Indian ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has words to speak about Virat Kohli post 4-1 series win over England team.
Virat Kohli was also there with us in practice in 1st Test match- Ravichandran Ashwin
Ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin disclosed that ace batter Virat Kohli trained with the Indian team ahead of their test opener against England in Hyderabad which began on 25th January 2024.
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Virat Kohli had joined the squad for the five match series but had to withdraw his name ahead of first fixture owing to personal reasons. Speaking in his latest You Tube video Ashwin said :
“It was an open-net practice, and Virat Kohli was also there with us in practice. He left for personal reasons, as his family needed him, and suddenly we were left without Virat Kohli,”
Ravichandran Ashwin also said he had hurt his back while bowling a day before the Hyderabad test. He admitted that he was disappointed and concerned as he was on the verge of completing 100 tests and completing 500 wickets in this format. The veteran off spinner thanked the Indian support staff for looking after him and ensuring that he didn’t miss the match due to the back sprain . Ashwin added :
“Suddenly, on the day before the Test in practice, it felt like a ball hit my back on completing an action. My back strain on my mid-back was very bad. I had so many things to expect from this series. There are so many milestones awaiting. I haven’t thought about it much, but everybody in my surroundings was talking about 500 wickets and 100 tests.”
“I just put the ball away and rested myself. That is why I put up an appreciation post for Kamlesh Jail, our physio, and Yogesh Parmar, A photo with him is still on the hunt; I couldn’t get it within yesterday. Along with Rajiv, our massage therapist, and Dayanand, another massage therapist, these people put so much effort behind the doors for my health.”
India suffered a 28 run defeat in the opening game at Hyderabad. However the hosts staged a stunning turnaround winning four matches on the trot to win the series 4-1 and etch their name to the top of the WTC points list .