Virat Kohli missed the first two Test matches against England in the ongoing series due to personal reasons. There has been much speculation about the exact reasons, but neither Kohli nor the BCCI have provided an official explanation.
ABD About Kohli’s Absence
AB de Villiers, a friend and former teammate of Kohli, earlier on his Youtube channel said that Kohli & Anuska Sharma were expecting their second child and later retracted this statement & apologizing for “false information” on his YouTube channel. De Villers said this because he shared excerpts from the texts which he and Kohli had exchanged.
ABD Message To Kohli:
Been wanting to check in with you (sic) for a while. How are you?’. Kohli said ‘Just need to be with my family right now. I am doing well.’.
So after this conversation ABD said yes, his second child is on the way. Yes, it’s family time and things are important to him.
Extended View Of Kohli’s Absence
The extent of Kohli’s absence remains unclear. Reports suggest he might miss upcoming Tests in Rajkot and Ranchi, possibly even the final match. The BCCI has yet to confirm anything officially.
Respecting privacy and supporting Kohli:
While the specific reason for his absence remains personal, de Villiers emphasizes the importance of family commitments. He encourages fans to offer their support and well-wishes to Kohli during this private time.
Virat Kohli’s Unavailability
The five-match Test series was evenly poised after India won the second Test to draw level at 1-1. Kohli informed the BCCI and selectors of his need for a break three days prior. The BCCI released a statement respecting Kohli’s decision, highlighting his dedication to playing for India while acknowledging the “certain personal situations” demanding his “undivided attention.” This suggests the leave is driven by genuine, private circumstances requiring his focus. The team continues to adapt and fight for victory in his absence, but his presence on the field would undoubtedly give more energy to the bowlers in any difficult situation.
PC: IPL
