In the second Test of the five-match series, India defeated England with a commanding 106-run victory on Day 4 in Visakhapatnam on Monday, February 5. The Rohit Sharma-led team set a fourth-inning target of 399, but they could only manage 292 thanks to three wickets each from Jasprit Bumrah (346) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/72).
The third Test match between the two teams will take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on February 15, after intense action in the first two Tests. Notably, Virat Kohli withdrew from the series for personal reasons, and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) only released the roster for the first two games of the series.
Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, was questioned regarding Kohli’s availability for the series’ final three games after India’s victory. The 51-year-old said that he wasn’t the best candidate to respond to the query and that the selectors would get in touch with him shortly to find out when he was available.
“It would be preferable to inquire with the selectors. They are undoubtedly the most qualified candidates to respond before the teams for the upcoming three tests are chosen.
We’ll address that later. There will undoubtedly be selections in the coming days. We’ll get in touch with him and find out,” India Today cited Rahul Dravid as saying.
Interestingly, the BCCI had asked supporters to respect the privacy of the Kohli family and refrain from speculating on the reasons behind his absence. AB de Villiers, a former cricketer for South Africa and a close friend of Kohli’s, revealed the reason for his absence, saying that the Indian player and his wife, Anushka Sharma, are expecting their second child. While responding to a fan question live on his YouTube channel, De Villiers revealed the startling information.
The second child of Kohli is on the way: AB de Villiers
Indeed, he is expecting his second child. Indeed, he values things and it’s family time. You lose sight of your purpose in life if you are not authentic and honest with yourself. Family is, I believe, what most people prioritize. Virat is not to be judged for that. Yes, he is missed. However, he has made the perfect choice,” De Villiers stated on his YouTube channel.
The BCCI is expected to provide clarification on Kohli’s availability when they announce the squad for the final three Tests in the coming days.
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