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 ,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.
This seems to have irked the likes of Former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar who feels that sudden fallout of key players from marquee series with the World Test Championships points at stake.
Show some loyalty to Indian cricket- Sunil Gavaskar’s indirect take on Virat Kohli
Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed his frustration over several players taking time away from the game by reminding them that their rise to fame has stemmed from playing for the nation. The 74-year-old is among the all-time greats, with over 10,000 runs and 34 centuries in his 125-Test career. Known for his passion for Indian cricket, Gavaskar did not mince words when expressing his anger over players missing games to be on breaks.
Recently, Ishan Kishan opted out of the South African tour, citing mental fatigue, while Virat Kohli is set to miss the entire England Test series due to personal reasons. In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar called on the players to display loyalty towards Indian cricket.
“If only these players remembered that they are what they are because of Indian cricket. Their name, fame, wealth, and even millions of fans are because of Indian cricket. Show, some loyalty to Indian cricket and their millions of fans should be considered before taking casual leave from the game,” said Sunil Gavaskar.
Gavaskar also rubbished the concept of workload management by saying:
“For far too long, some players have taken Indian cricket for granted and taken breaks on a whim, with this silly workload reason as an excuse. All they show by that is an unhealthy disregard for Indian cricket and that they are keeping themselves above Indian cricket,”
Pacer Mohammed Siraj was rested for the second Test of the ongoing series against England despite bowling only 11 overs in the first game. There were also reports of possibly resting Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming third Test after the ace pacer bowled almost 58 overs in the opening two matches.
Sunil Gavaskar on players break as spot in a team as a guaranteed one makes key players opt out easily
Sunil Gavaskar believes that the players going on breaks are aware that their spot in the Indian squad is secure once they return.
Instead, the legendary batter suggested those taking time away from the game should be informed that their selection upon return hinges on the selectors’ discretion.
“Most of these players are certainties and know that even if they don’t play a game or two, their places will be secure, and they can come back immediately if they make themselves available. Oh, for a selection committee that will get up and tell them, ‘Ok, take a break, but then, don’t expect to be picked when you feel like it. We will decide if we need you or not’,” wrote Gavaskar.
Gavaskar added that players who require workload management even after extended time off between Tests should not warrant selection.
“If, at the highest level of the game, a player, be a batter or a bowler, is not fit to play all five Test matches with the generous week-long breaks between the second and third Test matches and between the fourth and fifth Tests, then he should not be picked for any of the Tests and a young, hungry-to-make-a-mark player be brought in,” concluded Gavaskar.
The ongoing India-England Test series has eight days between the second and third Test and a similar gap between the fourth and fifth games. With the series tied at one apiece, both teams will take the field for the first time since February 5 for the all-important third Test at Rajkot, starting February 15.