Virat Kohli Withdraws from First Two Tests Against England; Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan in Contention

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has decided to withdraw from the first two Tests against England, citing personal reasons that demand his “undivided attention,” as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Kohli’s absence from the initial matches of the upcoming IDFC First Bank Test series has led to discussions about potential replacements, with Rajat Patidar of Madhya Pradesh and Sarfaraz Khan of Mumbai emerging as front-runners.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah released a statement acknowledging Kohli’s request for withdrawal, emphasizing his commitment to representing the country but acknowledging personal situations requiring his presence. Shah also noted that Kohli discussed his decision with captain Rohit Sharma and the team management.

The BCCI has assured its full support to Kohli and expressed confidence in the remaining squad’s abilities to deliver commendable performances in the Test series. Fans and media have been urged to respect Kohli’s privacy during this period and focus on supporting the Indian cricket team in the upcoming challenges.

As discussions around replacements intensify, Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan, both India ‘A’ performers, are considered leading contenders. Patidar’s recent impressive score of 151 against England Lions in an unofficial Test and Sarfaraz Khan’s notable contributions have bolstered their chances. The final decision rests with the selection committee, led by chairman Ajit Agarkar, who may consider the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara as an option.

The confirmed batting lineup for the first Test is expected to include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, and KS Bharat as the wicketkeeper. The replacement for Kohli will be named soon.