Indian batsman Virat Kohli missed the first two Tests of the IND vs ENG Test series due to personal reasons, while his availability for the remaining three matches is still under a question mark, according to TOI. As a South African cricketer and one of Kohli’s closest friends, AB de Villiers, Virat and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting a second child. However, the information has not yet been confirmed by the couple.
While the squad for the remaining three Test matches against England is yet to be announced, the selection committee under the leadership of Ajit Agarkar is waiting for a clear picture on Virat Kohli’s presence in the remaining three matches. According to a report in Times of India, the BCCI is in no mood to put pressure on Virat Kohli to return to the team, if he does not have space to play in the team. However, the Indian board is expected to keep a check on him due to the inexperienced Indian middle-order.
BCCI unclear on Virat Kohli’s return for remaining three Tests against England
A BCCI source told the Times of India: “The decision will rest entirely with Kohli. The board respects his personal space. If she agrees to play some role in the series, then nothing of that happens. But it will be your decision.”
While the picture behind Virat Kohli’s availability is unclear, the BCCI believes that KL Rahul will return from the third Test match after he retired from the second game due to a quadriceps strain. Rahul played 86 innings in the first game and is also a decent wicketkeeper. Rahul brings stability to the middle-order and the team will want him to return in the third game.
The Indian team is currently playing with a very inexperienced middle order consisting of Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Rajat Patidar and Axar Patel. These batsmen could not convert their start into a big score during the first innings of the second Test and got out after scoring 20 to 40 odd runs.
On the other hand, if Virat Kohli and KL Rahul Coming back to the team will be a complete blessing for the Indian team. With Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer struggling with form, if Virat returns to the team he could take Shubman’s place while Iyer could be replaced by Sarfaraz Khan.
However, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have one innings left to prove their place in the Test side. However, if they fail to do so, the selectors could think of hiring someone with experience like Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara has been scoring a lot of runs in the Ranji Trophy and recently scored his 17th double century.
The team management has reportedly been very clear in giving opportunities to young talents and showed their stance towards Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane as they were not included in the Test squad against South Africa.
Coming back to the IND vs ENG second test match, the Indian cricket team finished with 28/0 after the end of Day 2 in Vizag. England scored 253 runs in their first innings, courtesy of a six-wicket haul from Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah became the fastest Indian pacer to take 150 Test wickets and achieved the feat in 64 Tests.
Jasprit Bumrah put in a brilliant display of reverse swing and removed England’s top names like Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. India were leading by 171 runs at the end of Day 2 and will look to gain a big lead and then defeat England in the second innings to continue their unbeaten record in Vizag.