India secured a convincing victory over England in the second Test of the five-match series held in Visakhapatnam. After India’s victory, Rahul Dravid, the head coach, dropped a major hint regarding Kohli’s participation in the upcoming three matches of the series.
India encountered a unique challenge on their home turf as England, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, sought to break the hosts’ unbeaten Test series streak since 2012. After an unexpected defeat in Hyderabad, India’s stars, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, R Ashwin, and Axar Patel, countered England’s momentum. Jaiswal’s outstanding double century grabbed the limelight, while Bumrah’s fast-bowling brilliance and Gill’s long-awaited No.3 century contributed to India’s resurgence. Ashwin’s effective bowling dismantled England’s top order, securing a convincing 106-run victory in Visakhapatnam. The young Indian team effectively silenced critics, showcasing the difficulty of chasing 399 runs in India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced that former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli had requested a break from the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons. The BCCI urged everyone to respect Kohli’s privacy during this period and refrained from providing further details about the nature of the personal matter. Kohli’s absence from the initial matches raised questions, given his pivotal role in the team.
After India’s triumph, head coach Rahul Dravid was questioned about Kohli’s availability for the remaining three matches of the series. The 51-year-old mentioned that he’s not the best person to answer the question and that the selectors would soon connect with Kohli to ascertain his availability.
“I think it’s best to ask the selectors. I am sure they are the best people to answer ahead of the team selection for the next three Tests. We will get to that. I am sure there will be selection over the next few days. We will connect with him and find out,” Rahul Dravid was quoted as saying by India Today.
AB de Villiers, the former South African cricketer and a close friend of Kohli, let slip during a live session on his YouTube channel that the reason for Kohli’s absence is because he and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their second child. This revelation came as a surprise to many fans.
Social media was abuzz with messages of support and congratulations for the couple as they prepare to welcome a new addition to their family. Many expressed admiration for Kohli’s decision to prioritize family alongside his professional commitments.
Following the intense action in the initial two Tests, the two cricket teams are scheduled to face each other again in the third match starting on February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. It’s worth noting that the BCCI had initially announced the squad for only the first two matches of the series, and Kohli’s withdrawal from the series was attributed to personal reasons.
