Former India captain Virat Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the senior national selection committee that he is withdrawing from the remaining three Tests of the five game series against England. The Indian Express understands that Kohli informed the BCCI about his availability on Friday, the day selectors met in an online meeting to decide the squad for the Tests at Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamshala.
At the start of the series, Kohli had spoken to Indian captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and emphasised that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention. In its press release later, BCCI secretary Jay Shah informed, “The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series.”
It will be the first time in his career that Kohli will not be part of a home series. With India bouncing back at Vizag and leveling the series 1-1, the selectors had decided against making too many changes to the winning combination.
