With an exciting 5 match series that 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 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 ,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.
Former South African speedster Dale Steyn has supported Virat Kohli on his decision to stay with his family and is vocal about the same.
South African speedster Dale Steyn supports star Indian batter Virat Kohli’s absence from the first 2 tests vs England.
Former South African legendary pacer Dale Steyn believed star Indian batter Virat Kohli was well within his rights to take a break from cricket for as long as he wanted, no matter what the personal reasons were for which he was unavailable for the first two Tests against England.
ESPNCricinfo claim that there are doubts about Kohli’s participation in the remainder of the series as well and that has caused restlessness among Indian fans. Steyn recalled how he had once withdrawn from the IPL because one of his dogs was unwell.
Here’s what Dale Steyn, the bowling coach of Sunrisers Eastern Cape, was quoted as saying ahead of the SA20 2024 final by Hindustan Times about Virat Kohli:
“Family is your most important priority. Sorry, that’s it. That’s the end of the story right there. I’ve got three dogs and when one of them got sick, I was out of the IPL. I was jumping on the plane out of there to come back and see my dog. If Virat Kohli has decided to sit back home because he wants to be with his wife, if he’s going to have his second child, I don’t see any problem with that.”
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers recently claimed on his YouTube channel that Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma are awaiting the birth of their second child. However, he took a U-turn while speaking to Dainik Bhaskar and clarified that the news he had given was false and was a mistake on his end.
Virat Kohli dont have to prove himself to anyone claims Dale Steyn.
Dale Steyn believes Virat Kohli has already achieved incredible success for India, be it as a player by winning the 2011 World Cup, or as arguably one of the best Test captains the game has seen. Claiming that Kohli need not prove anything to anyone, Steyn stated:
“He’s been a servant of India for many years. He’s won a World Cup; he’s captained with success. I don’t know what more a man can do to prove himself in the cricketing world.”
Steyn further shed light on the importance of cricketers giving priority to their family members and loved ones. India are yet to announce their Test squad for the remainder of the series against England.
India despite not having Virat Kohli to their ranks will look to toppled 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 at Vizag too be 1-1 at midway heading to Rajkot for the third test and with likes of KL Rahul AND Ravindra Jadeja bound to return India’s middle order would now look to make amends in forthcoming tests as Virat Kohli has confirmed his unavailability for the entire England series.